The use of the abridged BDI as a depression screening device for a sample of recently incarcerated adult female felons was explored, and the concurrent validity of the instrument was examined. The results indicated that the abridged BDI was a highly reliable measure which substantially and significantly correlated with the MMPI D scale, as well as other MMPI scales. In addition, individuals who tended to score high or depressed on the abridged BDI consistently described themselves on self-concept rating scales in the direction of low self-esteem and low self-worth. Substantial and statistically significant negative correlations were consistently observed between the abridged BDI and self-concept measures. Consistent patterns of relationships between the abridged BDI and MMPI, as well as between the abridged BDI and self-concept scales, emerged and were congruent with clinical descriptions of depression. The consistency and pattern of results added strong support to the concurrent validity of the abridged BDI.
Some concern has been expressed that personality test results obtained shortly after admission to prison may change after the initial shock of incarceration has lessened. To check this possibility the MMPI was administered to fifty female prisoners shortly after admission to prison and again six months later. No significant differences in test-retest scores or profiles were found, although there was a significant reduction in the variability of the D, Hy, and Mf scales. In this female sample, the concern about the effects of the initial period of incarceration on personality test results was seen to be unfounded. PREVIOUS STUDY has provided infor-
Strong VIB scores (Veterinary Scale), ACE scores, and pre-veterinary grade-point averages for 61 veterinary students were compared with scores for a random sample of non-veterinary students. Within the veterinary group, there was no significant relationship between interest score and academic achievement, and academic training did not affect measured interest (based on retest with VIB after four years). Using discriminant function analysis, it was possible to predict curricular membership with a high degree of accuracy. The best predictors were the VIB Veterinary interest score and pre-veterinary grade-point average
Changes in the self-concept associated with a period of incarceration were investigated. Female prisoners in the Iowa Women's Reformatory were administered the usual admissions test battery plus a 24-item Self-Concept Scale consisting of bipolar adjectives. When the same scale was readministered following a six-month period of incarceration, general improvement in the level of self-concept was evident. Moreover, some of the changes were related to personality characteristics, as measured by the MMPI, and educational level. The admission scores on seven of the MMPI clinical scales were significantly correlated negatively to the admissions self-concept scores; however, only three clinical scales were significantly related to self-concept scores obtained after a six-month period of incarceration.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.