Sex Variation of Motion Stereotypic Response among Adult Bengalee Population for the Operation of Some Simple Control-Display Units

Population stereotype point out to a long-term habit and well embedded knowledge of a particular population. This study was carried out to evaluate the variation in index of reversibility, response preference and response initiation time among male and female subjects for some simple analog control-display units. A total of 999 subjects were responded, among them 591 were male and 408 were female (having the age range of 15-60 years). To conduct the study five types of analog displays viz., rotary control knob with horizontal display, rotary control knob with vertical display, and rotary control knob with circular display, horizontally aligned rocker switches and vertically aligned rocker switches for electric lights were fabricated. The subjects were asked to move the control to get the desired display and the response preference and response initiation time were noted as the results. The results showed that the best control-display unit was the rotary control-vertical display combination on the basis of index of reversibility for both sexes. Statistical analysis of the data showed that preferred response percentage or were significantly (P less than 0.05 or less) different for both sexes in case of all the rotary control analog display operations but for rocker switch-electric light unit operation it was found that both group showed similar stereotypic strength and direction. Response initiation time also found to be significantly (P less than 0.001) different, it was also found that higher preferred response percentage showed shorter response initiation time. It may be concluded that gender has a profound impact on motion stereotypic responses.

Psychometric Evaluation and Refinement of the Pain Response Preference Questionnaire

BACKGROUND: The Pain Response Preference Questionnaire (PRPQ) assesses preferences regarding pain-related social support. The initial factor analytical study of the PRPQ produced four empirically supported scales labelled Solicitude, Management, Encouragement and Suppression. A second study produced similar findings, but suggested that the Management and Encouragement scales be combined into a single scale labelled Activity Direction.OBJECTIVES: To use factor analytical methods to evaluate these competing configurations of the PRPQ (ie, three versus four scales) and to further refine the measure. The ability of the PRPQ scales to account for pain severity and disability ratings was also evaluated.METHODS: Chronic pain patients (n=201) completed the PRPQ along with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and self-reports of pain severity and disability.RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that both models tested provided a poor fit to the data. A follow-up exploratory factor analysis was used to further refine the PRPQ scales and resulted in scales labelled Solicitude, Encouragement and Suppression. Supportive of the potential clinical utility of the PRPQ, Suppression was positively associated with pain severity and Solicitude was positively associated with disability. These two scales were also positively associated with the PCS. Supportive of the incremental validity of the PRPQ, a multiple regression analysis indicated that the Solicitude scale accounted for unique variance in disability ratings beyond that accounted for by demographic/clinical variables and the PCS.CONCLUSIONS: The PRPQ has promise as a clinical assessment measure and for advancing research examining the interpersonal context of pain.