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Adjustment of 547 college students was examined by the variables of alcoholic parentage and participant gender. Results from a multivariate analysis of variance, using the Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms, indicated significant main effects for gender but not for alcoholic parentage. Significant gender differences occurred for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, paranoid psychosis, affective depression, anxiety disorders, psychological factors affecting physical condition, immature character, and neurotic character. Findings suggest that college students from alcoholic homes should not be distinguished from the general population in terms of their adjustment.

This study demonstrates the use of structural equation modeling for investigating a hierarchical model of personality based on Loevinger's (1976) conceptualization. This model was constructed to have a multifactorial and hierarchical structure in which the ego development construct served as the source of covariation for specific personality constructs of impulse control, interpersonal style, conscious preoccupations, and cognitive style. This model and three other conceivable models were investigated to determine which structure best represented the relations among specific personality constructs and ego development. The specific personality constructs were identified by measures chosen from the available pool of measures that were compatible with Loevinger's conceptualization. The four conceivable models were fitted to sample data from 267 adult subjects using confirmatory factor analysis and were compared with indices of model fit and methods for comparison of nested models. Results suggested that the four specific personality constructs and ego development are part of the same process. Although a hierarchical structure appeared tenable for this process, the role of ego development perhaps is not as dominant as envisioned by Loevinger. These results must be considered tentative due to measurement limitations.

Data from Exner's 1985 and 1989 normative samples on nonpatient adults and comparison samples of patients with schizophrenia, depression, and character problems were reanalyzed using a standard of clinical significance appropriate for N = 1. The 1989 norms, which exclude Rorschach protocols with less than 14 responses, alter not only the number of significant variables, but also alter the ability of most variables that relate to form quality to differentiate among the patient comparison groups. The Exner Rorschach is judged to be a valid test for schizophrenia, but to have demonstrated little differential utility for depression and character disorders. It is recommended that the scoring of nonsignificant variables be abandoned.

Data are presented on racial differences from the norms of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, the recent renorming of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, the Stanford-Binet IV, and Raven's Progressive Matrices. The premise of the present article is that, while the one standard deviation IQ difference between Black and White adults has remained constant, IQ differences between Black and White children are declining. These data are discussed in the context of previous studies on possible racial bias of IQ tests, as well as marked changes in educational and economic opportunities that have occurred in the United States in the decades since Jensen's (1969) article.

The relationships of high-point code types of the Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS) to the Diagnostic and statistical manual III-R (DSM-III-R; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) were explored for adolescent patients ( N = 263). Twelve DIPS code types that relate code types to Axis I diagnoses are prepared. The three DIPS personality disorder cluster scales and the eight combinations thereof are presented as well. Six of the personality disorder cluster scale code types that relate to DSM-III-R Axis II categories are identified. Finally, a narrative summation of each of the code types is given.

This study extended knowledge of the construct validity of Vincent's Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS) by examining the relationships between the DIPS and the MMPI, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, the Profile of Mood States, the Symptom Check List-90, and the California Psychological Inventory. Subjects were 300 predominantly male psychiatric inpatients. Correlational analyses revealed that the DIPS clinical scales were related most strongly to MMPI and MCMI clinical scales. Eleven of 14 DIPS clinical scales showed clinically significant correlations with similar scales of the external measures. The validities of the Stress-Adjustment Disorders and Psychological Factors Affecting Physical Condition scales were not ascertained directly.

Attempts to define interrelationship of personality disorders. Discusses relationships between and among three major groupings of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Suggests that passive aggressive, avoidant, and borderline personality disorders serve as bridges between these groupings. Discusses placement within groupings with antisocial, compulsive, and schizoid being essence of three categories. (Author/NB)

Presents the format for the development of interpretive statements covering an entire test battery content on both objective tests and projective instruments. This procedure, the semiautomated full battery, can lessen significantly the time and much of the repetition entailed in psychological report writing. (Author)

The percent of code type agreement with the original MMPI is compared with the new MMPI-2, an earlier re-norming of the MMPI by Colligan, Osborne, Swenson, and Offord (1983), the MMPI-168, and test/retest comparisons of the MMPI with itself. Code type agreement ranges from lows of 31 to 41% for the test/retest comparability of the original MMPI with itself to 40 to 67% hit rates for the MMPI code types in relation to broadband diagnosis and comparisons of clinical accuracy of computerized reports that have utilized various MMPI versions.

Diagnostic hit rates for the Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms were compared to diagnosis by psychiatrists of the same patients. The Probability Scale employing Bayesian concepts and base rates correctly classified 70% of the patients and was more accurate by far than the other two methods used. (Author/ABB)

Examined the comparability of Rorschach Inkblots and the Holtzman Inkblots. Subjects (N=27) were administered both instruments and their responses scored using the standard Holtzman Inkblot Technique variables. The number of responses was controlled when using the Rorschach. Results indicate that the Rorschach Inkblots were a satisfactory alternate to the Holtzman when an identical scoring system is used. (Author/KS)

Gary Habermas has chosen to respond to my paper on the resurrection of Jesus as an after-death communication using theological arguments that try to prove the resurrection of Jesus was somehow a religious event unique in all human history. I counter his assertions with data from religious/spiritual experience research and, to a lesser extent, liberal Christian scholars. I restate my conclusion that Paul's first-hand and verified second-hand accounts of the resurrection in I Corinthians 15 are comparable with modern after-death communications; the difference between Jesus and others is not one of kind but of degree. Over the past 150 years, religious experience researchers have successfully applied the tools of science and begun to unlock the mysteries of how humans experience God and afterlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near-death experiences (NDEs) and other transpersonal experiences - those that transcend the usual personal experiential limits of space and/or time - point to the existence and nature of God and ongoing personal consciousness following physical death. In this article, I review the history of these experiences prior to 1850 and of their study during three periods of scientific research between 1850 and the present. I conclude that (1) a large percentage of the population has experienced NDEs and other transpersonal experiences, (2) the overwhelming majority of these experiencers are mentally healthy, and (3) these experiences change people's lives for the better. I contend that although NDEs and other transpersonal experiences cannot prove the existence of a personal God and afterlife, they definitely point to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near-death experiences (NDEs) have been reported since ancient times. Before the advent of modern reporting methods in medicine and the social sciences, the credibility of these accounts was often compromised through editing by church authorities or retelling by secondary sources. The autobiographical account of the NDE of George de Benneville, an 18th-century physician and lay minister, would satisfy the criteria of contemporary near-death researchers. In addition, de Benneville's life is so wen-documented that researchers have confidence in his personal credibility. The hopeful Universalist message in his account is also consistent with the reports of modern-day NDEs. We provide a complete account of de Benneville's NDE and compare it with both ancient and modern NDEs. We discuss his experiences within the context of comparative religion in general and Universalist Christian theology in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor regarding the future of the International Association for Near-Death Studies.

I explore the near-death experience (NDE) in the context of the theology of Christian Universalism. I provide data on various models of Christian theology, and present the model of Restorative Universalism as the one most compatible with reports of afterlife in the NDE. I interface quotations from actual NDE accounts with New Testament verses to illustrate these similarities. Restorative Universalism includes a judgment ("life review" in NDE terminology), followed by punishment for some but eventual universal salvation for all. I present an analysis of New Testament verses supporting the theologies of "Jesus Saves," Predestination, Good Works, and Universal Salvation, which reveals Salvation by Good Works to be supported by the greatest number of verses, followed by verses advocating Universal Salvation for All. Christian Restorative Universalism is based upon these two predominant New Testament teachings and affords the greatest harmony with the NDE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study on the DSM-III diagnosis and code types of the diagnostic inventory of personality and symptoms. The Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS) is a brief test of psychopathology built from the descriptors and criteria of DSM-III diagnostic categories for Axis I and Axis II. The 171-item inventory is a refinement of and built from the more predictive items of a larger, earlier test, the Psychological Inventory of Personality and Symptoms. The DIPS Neurotic Character scales correspond to the DSM-III personality disorder cluster of anxious and fearful personality disorders, which includes avoidant, dependent, compulsive, and passive-aggressive personality disorders.

The article compares trauma victims, psychogenic pain and patients with organic disease using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). A total of 78 patients were selected from patient psychological test files from a private clinic. The post-trauma group was an exhaustive sample, as was the organic group. Individual case histories for the three subpopulations-Post-trauma (T), Organic control group (O) and Psychogenic-were studied and observations noted on symptomalogy and diagnosis. The data suggests that MMPI profiles of patients and post-trauma stress disorder more closely resemble the MMPI profiles of patients with organic disease and pain caused by organic pathology than the MMPI profiles of patients with psychogenic pain and hypochondriasis.

The article focuses on a study related to the validity of Adolescent Multiphasic Personality Inventory (AMPI). The AMPI is a brief test of psychopathology designed specifically for an adolescent population. The AMPI was administered in its standard form to 70 adolescents, 90 percent of whom were psychiatric inpatients and 10 percent of whom were outpatients at a mental health center. The present study supports the construct validity of the AMPI factors, which account for 78 percent of the variance and correspond roughly to the traditional broadband classifications of neurotic, psychotic and characterological plus a fourth validity factor.

This article focuses on the factor structure of the diagnostic inventory of personality and symptoms in a private psychiatric hospital population. The Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS) is a brief test of Psychopathology built from the descriptors and criterion of the DSM-III diagnostic categories for Axis I and II. The 171-item inventory is a refinement of and built from the more predictive items of a larger, earlier test, the Psychological Inventory of Personality and Symptoms. The DIPS was administered in its standard form to 60 consecutive patients who were able to take the test in its standard form at two private hospitals in the southwestern United States. One of the hospitals was a free-standing psychiatric hospital, and the other was a general hospital with a psychiatric unit. Four of the tests were discarded because they were invalid, which left a usable sample of 56 for analysis.

This article presents a study, which investigated the relationship between J. Loevinger's levels of ego development and DSM-II Axis II personality disorder diagnoses, with a private psychiatric clinic sample of 400 patients. A breakdown of the ego development levels for each personality disorder is provided. Personality disorders that cluster in the dramatic, emotional and erratic cluster of the DSM-III were found to have the majority of individuals who scored below the conformity level in the sample, with almost half of the individuals in this personality cluster below the conformity level. Another finding was that the psychiatric patient sample was devoid of individuals at the highest levels of ego functioning.

Presents a response by Ken Vincent to letters to the editor about his letter on near-death experiences and mystical religious experiences which appeared in the Winter 2004 issue of the "Journal of Near-Death Studies."