Quantitative and Qualitative Exploration of Meaningful Change on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland™-II) in Children and Adolescents with Autism Without Intellectual Disability Following Participation in a Clinical Trial.

Purpose: The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale is often used in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) trials. The Adaptive Behavior Composite Score (VABS-ABC) is the standardized overall score (the average of the Socialization, Communication and Daily Living skills domains), and the standardized 2-Domain Composite Score (VABS-2DC) is a novel outcome measure (average of the Socialization and Communication domains). A within-person meaningful change threshold (MCT) has not been established for the VABS-2DC.

A Critical Appraisal of the Evidence Supporting the Factor Structure of Extant Coping Instruments.

This paper evaluated the evidence supporting the factor structure of extant coping instruments based on modern psychometric standards. Our literature search identified nine coping instruments that are routinely used to measure coping strategies in adult populations. While nearly 10 thousand papers have been published using these instruments, only 39 studies have investigated their psychometric validity.

Psychometric validation and interpretation of the Nocturia Impact Diary in a clinical trial setting.

Purpose: Psychometric evaluation of the Nocturia Impact (NI) Diary was conducted to support its use as a trial endpoint.

Methods: As part of a randomized, controlled Phase 2 clinical trial investigating a novel drug candidate for nocturnal polyuria, adult nocturia patients completed the NI Diary and a voiding diary for three nights preceding their clinic visit at Baseline and Weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12 (end of treatment). Exit interviews were conducted to obtain patient impressions of the NI Diary.

Pilot Validation Study on the Tavistock Relationships Observational Scale for the Assessment of the Quality of Dyadic Relationships in Couples in Which One Partner Has Dementia.

Background And Purpose: Many people with dementia are cared for by their spouses. Poor quality of the dyadic relationship is a known risk factor for carer burden and mistreatment of the person with dementia. This study aimed to design and cross validate the Tavistock Relationships Observational Scale (TROS) for assessment of the quality of the relationship in such couples.

Personality dimensions emerging during adolescence and young adulthood are underpinned by a single latent trait indexing impairment in social functioning.

Background: Personality with stable behavioural traits emerges in the adolescent and young adult years. Models of putatively distinct, but correlated, personality traits have been developed to describe behavioural styles including schizotypal, narcissistic, callous-unemotional, negative emotionality, antisocial and impulsivity traits. These traits have influenced the classification of their related personality disorders.

The association between paternal and adolescent depressive symptoms: evidence from two population-based cohorts.

Background: Incidence of depression increases markedly around age 13 years, and nearly three-quarters of adults report that their mental health problems started in adolescence. Although maternal depression is a risk factor for adolescent depression, evidence about the association between paternal and adolescent depression is inconclusive, and many studies have methodological limitations. We aimed to assess the association between paternal and adolescent depressive symptoms in two large population-based cohort studies.

The role of timing of maltreatment and child intelligence in pathways to low symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescence.

Research indicates that childhood maltreatment is strongly associated with high levels of adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms. Using LONGSCAN data and taking into account the range of family characteristics related to adversity (poverty, primary caregiver substance abuse) and protective factors (living with biological mother and father), the present study assessed the complex resilience process in which child intelligence (age 6) mediated the relationship between early childhood maltreatment (age 0-4) and adolescent symptoms of depression and anxiety (age 14). We also assessed if mid (age 6-8) and late (age 10-12) childhood maltreatment moderated this mediation.