Students (98) choosing careers in special education-behavior disorders or elementary education were given standardized tests to attempt to identify personality traits presented by good special education teachers of the behaviorally disordered. Subtests on teaching humanities and counseling/guidance of young people showed higher means for special…

Reviews three major measures of the concept of self-stability: the discrepancy measure, the syndromatic measure, and the longitudinal measure. Assesses their relative strengths as well as weaknesses. Suggests that the longitudinal measure may be used to check the degree of social desirability effect of the syndromatic measure. (Author)

This second essay in a three-part series addresses what is labeled "first education"--education for the formation of character. The author argues that the attempt of contemporary social science to achieve a value-free orientation in human life can be questioned and that teachers should articulate a philosophic defense of moral training. (JMD)

Defines the characteristics of children resilient to the effects of environmental stresses and identifies protective factors including special hobbies and interests, mentoring, family support, and turning point experiences. Schools are urged to provide the caring community each child needs. (DB)

The therapeutic effects of sharing results from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) with clients were studied with 60 college students seeking psychological services. Students receiving results reported improved self-esteem and decreased symptoms. Overall, results support the efficacy of psychological assessment as an…

Explores the relationship between child abuse and neglect and loneliness by developing implications of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III-Revised category of dependent personalities. Argues that behavioristic treatment plans are inadequate for child abuse because this dysfunction derives from dependent personalities who…

Investigated whether actors and observers differ in their beliefs about what features of an individual best reflect his/her "authentic self." Results indicate that actors' views differed significantly from observers'. Friend raters believed that their friends' dispositional traits were better indicators than what their friends actually did,…

Total Scholastic Aptitude Test score (SAT), average grade in high school, and 32 personality variables were examined through forward multiple regression to identify the best combination for predicting grade point average for 201 college students. Average grade in high school ranked first, followed by self-control and SAT score. (SLD)

Researchers surveyed 213 caregivers to test the influence of personality traits on negative outcomes of caregiving. High scores on a measure of neuroticism indicated increased levels of burden and health complaints both at initial and follow-up assessments. Personality traits and other variables remained consistent over time for caregivers…

This study drew on two approaches to identity formation, each postulating differing but complementary exploration components, in an effort to better understand the identity exploration process. Overall patterns of results revealed by hierarchical regression analyses were consistent with a process model of exploration and with the view that…

This study examined the structure, distribution, and correlates of a new measure of self-reported callous-unemotional (CU) traits in 1,443 adolescents (774 boys, 669 girls) between the ages of 13 to 18 years. The Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits was subjected to exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Exploratory…

The present study investigated theoretically and empirically derived similarities and differences between the constructs of enduring happiness and self-esteem. Participants (N = 621), retired employees ages 51-95, completed standardized measures of affect, personality, psychosocial characteristics, physical health, and demographics. The relations…

Few psychological disorders in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual have generated as much controversy as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). For the past 35 years diagnoses of DID, previously referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), have increased exponentially, causing various psychological researchers and clinicians to question the…

Mental health professionals conducting screenings in jail settings face formidable challenges in identifying inmates at risk for major depression and suicide. Psychologists often rely on correctional staff to provide initial appraisals of those inmates requiring further evaluation. In a sample of 100 jail detainees, the effectiveness of two…

The ability to make precise distinctions among related personality constructs helps clarify theory and increases the utility of clinical assessment. In three studies, the authors evaluated the validity of distinctions among four impulsivity-like traits: sensation seeking, lack of planning, lack of persistence, and urgency (acting rashly when…