In view of the relatively understudied status of work-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this study retrospectively examined 44 workers whose claims were accepted for workers' compensation benefits in the absence of significant coexisting physical injuries. The majority of workers (82%) directly experienced the traumatic event while the rest witnessed the event. Over half (54%) of those directly experiencing the event were involved in armed robberies, whereas 38% were physically or verbally assaulted in nonrobbery situations. Almost half of the workers were assigned a coexisting mood or anxiety diagnosis. Psychoactive medication was prescribed to 66% of workers, and 93% of all workers received some form of psychological/psychiatric treatment. Twenty-three percent of the group received vocational rehabilitation assistance and only 43% returned to their previous job with the accident employer. Findings suggest that work-related PTSD is both complex and disabling and merits further investigation.

Two samples of adults were administered nine attitude scales: three constructs (attitudes toward discipline of children, mathematics, and the law) each measured by three methods (Likert, Thurstone and Semantic Differential techniques). For one sample a dichotomous Likert response format was used, in the other a nine-point Likert continuum. Each of the two resulting 9 x 9 MTMM matrices was assessed for evidence of validity using confirmatory factor analysis, supplemented by an estimation of variance components analysis, and the results compared across matrices. The results showed that the three methods converged across the three constructs but that there was an interaction effect such that it did make a difference which method was chosen to measure any particular construct. There was more shared variance among variables in the matrix where the nine-point Likert scales had been used. The results indicated (a) greater validity of Likert scales with the use of a larger number of scale steps, in the sense that total scores more highly estimated the construct underlying the item set, and (b) the value of conceptualizing "types" of measurement techniques which are nevertheless not interchangeable in any particular context.

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This paper has raised a number of issues in the selection and measurement of psychological outcome variables in rehabilitation.Some general recommendations have been offered and, finally, a few theoretical and practical issues have been raised, but not resol\ cd.pointing out that there are still many fundamental issues to be considered when doing research with psychological outcome variahlcs.Hopefully, the raising of these and similar issues will stimulate further discussion about the role of psychological variables in [tic rehabilitation process, and the proper way to select and measure them.Resume Cet article met l'accent sur une strie de questions concernant la selection et I'tvaluation quantitative de divers parameires psychologiques appliques au cours de la rttducation et rtadaptation fonctionnelle. On propose quelques recommandations generales el on aborde des questions d'ordre thtorique et pratique, mais sans fournir de rtponses definitives. De nombreux problkmes fondamcniaux subsistent; il convient d'en tenir compte lorsqu'on applique des paramktres psychologiques lors d'un travail de recherche. L'auteur souhaiw que ces problemes fassent I'objet d'une discussion approfondie concernant le rBle des paramktres psychologiques dans le processub de rehabilitation et leur mode de stlection et de mesure approprik.Zusammenfassung Diese Arbeit zeigt verschiedene Moglichkeiten bei der Auswahl und der Messung prognostisch wertvoller psychologischer Variablen in der Rehabilitation auf. Es werden einige allgemeine Empfehlungen angeboten und einige wenige theoretische untl praktische Moglichkeiten vorgestellt. Es handelt sich nicht um eine Losung der Probleme. Es wird vielmehr darauf hingcwiesen, dass nach

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