Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted of "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) symptoms of common mental disorders derived from structured interviews of a representative sample of 4,049 twin children and adolescents and their adult caretakers. A dimensional model based on the assignment of symptoms…

This article presents two investigations of the motivational inversion hypothesis derived from the motivation-hygiene theory. The major hypothesis of this article is that the higher the degree of mental disorder, the higher the degree of motivational inversion. (Author/EK)

This editorial introduces two articles on Munchausen by Proxy syndrome (the induction of an appearance or state of physical ill health in a child, by the caretaker, and the child's subsequent presentation to health professionals for diagnosis and/or treatment). The severity of the caretaker's psychological disturbance and the serious effects on…

The present study examined the "person versus situation" controversy regarding the contribution to variance of behavior in real-life environments of 34 severely disabled psychiatric patients, using reliable and valid observational assessment of both patient behavior and dimensions of situations. (Editor/RK)

Findings suggest that the consistently high rates of survey reported symptoms among Puerto Rican respondents derive primarily from culturally patterned differences in modes of expressing distress. (Author/AM)

One major finding is that a substantial share of the variance common to the five defensive scales included in the study are accounted for by the role playing factor. Also, all subtest scores of admission of common frailties load on the same factor as do aggression, suspicion, autism, and body symptoms. (Author)

The study sought to evaluate the extent to which certain objective tests, ward behavior ratings, recorded verbalization scores, and interview behavior ratings possessed convergent and discriminant validity for 10 psychotic syndromes. It was concluded that the convergent and discriminant validity of the syndromes is strongly supported. (Author)

The results indicated that normal Ss generally perceived their parents as exhibiting sex-appropriate behaviors to a greater extent than did disturbed Ss; a smaller proportion of individuals in the disturbed groups viewed their fathers as possessing masculine-instrumental traits, and their mothers as having feminine-expressive characteristics.…

The relationships between social skills and psychopathology in 846 individuals with severe mental retardation was examined. Results showed that increases in psychopathological symptoms were related to increases in negative behaviors. Those without stereotypic movement disorders had greater general positive and positive nonverbal behaviors than…

This report presents the rationale behind and the initial findings from a research project investigating the competence of children vulnerable to psychopathology. (Author)

The symptomatology of 93 psychiatric inpatients with mild mental retardation was compared with that of a matched sample of inpatients without mental retardation. Patients with retardation displayed more outwardly directed and less inwardly directed symptoms; more symptoms involving action than thought; and psychotic symptom pictures which more…

The author spells out seven meanings of the phrase mental illness and elucidates some of the controversy which surrounds it in legal, political, therapeutic and moral circles. These seven are: (1) unusually low performance level; (2) powerlessness; (3) excessive and fruitless conflict with others; (4) immorality; (5) excessively deviant taste; (6)…

In cases of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, the perpetrator (generally the mother) simulates or fabricates child abuse in order to maintain an intense relationship with hospital personnel, police personnel, child protection workers, lawyers, or school personnel. A case involving law enforcement agents as a primary "target" illustrates…

Few investigators have attempted to lay a conceptual base for comparative studies of paranoia and depression within a single general framework. The paranoid-depressive continuum is an attempt to develop such a framework. (Author)