Development and validation of the Zadrian-Ifdil Problem Checklist (ZIPC) for college students

The variety of problem conditions and the specific dynamics of college student demographics demands a holistic measurement. Various measurements to reveal the attributes of students' problems have been developed in Indonesia, but they are not optimal because they are still partial. Even though a holistic measurement tool has been developed, its effectiveness is still a matter of debate, especially in measuring instrument duration and the number of items that are too large. The development of the Zadrian-Ifdil Problem Checklist (ZIPC) measuring instrument aims to obtain an effective and efficient measuring tool in identifying problems experienced by students daily. This study consists of three phases: item development, testing, validation, and item revision. The sample involved in this study were 639 people spread all over Indonesia. Analysis and validation of measuring tools using the Rasch model approach. The development and validation results revealed that the student version of ZIP-C was reliable and valid to reveal daily personal problems in 8 variables of problem conditions and 50 items. This measuring tool can be used for research purposes and practice services and mental health interventions by professionals.

The Self-Perceived Problems among Malaysian Pre-university Students: Implications for College Counselling

This study investigates the self-perceived problems among Malaysian pre-university students in a public research university in Malaysia. A survey study using Mooney Problem Checklist of Measurement was conducted in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). A total of 278 pre-university students were selected using simple random sampling. Results indicated that the level of problems faced by pre-university students is low. The study found that the main problems faced by the pre-university college students are related to their future-vocational and educational, followed by adjustment to school work, personal-psychological relations, moral and religion, social-psychological relations, health and physical development, home and family, curriculum and teaching procedures, social and recreational activities, finance, living conditions and employment, and finally, courtship, sex and marriage issues. This study shows that there are major related problems faced by the students at the pre-university level. These findings highlight the importance of considering guidance and counseling services to assist pre-university students to ensure that these self-perceived problems will not affect their emotional and academic achievement. Implications of college counseling were discussed in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: Academic Issues, Career Adjustment, College Counselling, Pre-university Students, Self-perceived Problems

Feasibility of use of the anxiety thermometer in antenatal services

Of the 102 women approached, 101 (99%) completed the anxiety thermometer (AnxT). The women were aged between 22–44 years (mean age 34.5 years); about half were primigravida and half multigravida. Almost two-thirds rated their current anxiety as four or above out of a maximum of 10. The most frequently reported concern was health of baby, followed by fears and worries, tiredness, and sleep problems. The high participation rate suggests that the AnxT can be developed to screen anxiety and elicit perinatal and related concerns to facilitate consultation and appropriate triaging. The problem checklist was refined based on the current results.

Development and Standardization of Indigenous Student Problem Identification Scale

An individual's development ensures continuous changes that introduce challenges and conflicts that may hassle him. Transition to the university may expose them to a wide array of threats that they may not be able to cope with successfully. These may thus influence individuals' psychological and behavioral functioning and physical wellbeing. It may be the institution's responsibility to provide help to these individuals; however, for this purpose, these problems need to be identified and evaluated foremost. Henceforth, this research is concerned with the development and standardization of the Student Problem Identification Scale (SPIS) on a sample of 415 undergraduates. Through a semi-structured interview, a list of problems was generated. Those that were recurring were subsequently removed. The obtained list was reviewed by four experts who provided feedback on the relevance of each item. The list was then put through statistical analysis, and its psychometric properties were evaluated. Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation and Kaisar normalization generated four factors that were labeled as Personal Pressures, Poor Adjustment, Low Academic Achievement, and Unhealthiness. Convergent validity was determined with the help of the Student Problem Checklist (Mahmood & Saleem, 2011). Cronbach Alpha revealed excellent internal consistency of the scale. Implications for further research are also discussed.

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CAREGIVER REACTIONS TO PROBLEM BEHAVIORS OF PERSONS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Problem behaviors among persons with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) can have a major impact on caregivers. However, caregiver’s subjective reactions to the problem behaviors have a stronger impact on caregivers than the objective frequency of problem behaviors (Robinson et al., 2001). This study aims to examine the factors associated with caregiver’s subjective reactions to problem behaviors. Data were collected from a sample recruited from community agencies served AD caregivers in the southeastern region of the country (N=109). The caregivers’ reactions to problem behaviors were measured by the Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist (Teri et al., 1992). Three subscale scores were used to measure the reactions to the behaviors related to memory loss, depression and disruption. Multivariate regression models were conducted including gender, race, employment, living arrangement, knowledge about the disease, resilience for caregivers; and ADL and IADL functioning, and frequency of problem behaviors for care recipients. Race (B=-.162; p<.05) and frequency of care-recipient problem behaviors (B= 0.733; p<.001) were significantly associated with caregiver’s reaction to problem behaviors. Caregiver’s knowledge about the disease (p<.01) only influence their reactions to memory loss problems but not for disruption and depression problems. African American caregivers had fewer reactions to disruption (p<.01) and more reactions to depression problems (p=0.06) than white caregivers, but no difference between the two groups in their reactions to memory loss problems. Personal resilience was not associated with reactions to any problem behaviors. Intervention should be tailored to the needs of caregivers to deal with behaviors of a person with AD.

VALIDATION OF A BRIEF SCREEN TO IDENTIFY PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA AT RISK FOR BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCE

Per current guidelines, clinical assessment of persons with dementia (PWD) should include potential causes of behavioral and psychiatric problems including pain, depression, and caregiver-patient relationship quality. Many validated assessment tools are available; however, administering a battery of instruments is not practical in most clinical settings. Objectives of this secondary analysis are to 1) evaluate the construct validity of brief screens (1-3 questions each) for pain, depression, and relationship strain by examining their associations with validated measures (Geriatric Depression Scale, Modified Philadelphia Pain Scale, Zarit Burden Interview, Mutuality Scale) and medication use and 2) evaluate the predictive validity of each individual screen and the screens as a set (number positive) by examining their associations with frequency of disruptive behaviors on the Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist. PWDs (n=228) were included in the original trial if the PWD or the caregiver endorsed one or more of the three screens. There was evidence of good convergent and discriminate validity for each individual screen (p’s < 0.01). Although only the relationship screen was individually associated with frequency of disruptive behaviors (p < 0.00010), the total number of screens endorsed was positively associated with this frequency (F (2,225) = 5.50, p = 0.005). In this sample, the brief screening questions showed good construct and predictive validity. Further studies are needed to determine if they can be used to identify patients with depression, pain, and/or caregiver-patient relationship problems in the clinical setting.

Measuring opioid dependence in chronic pain patients: A comparison between addiction clinic and pain clinic patient populations

Objective: To compare dependence characteristics between patients with chronic pain treated within an addiction medicine setting with those attending specialist pain clinics.Setting and patients: Forty patients with chronic non-cancer pain taking opioid analgesics for 1 year were recruited from university-affiliated, tertiary teaching hospital clinics; 20 from an addiction medicine clinic (addiction clinic group) and 20 from specialist pain clinics (pain clinic group).Design and main outcome measures: Data regarding demographics, past and current substance use, pain history and current daily opioid intake were collected. Patients completed three questionnaires: the Severity of Opioid Dependence Questionnaire, Leeds Dependence Questionnaire, and Pain Disability Index. A novel “Opioid Problem Checklist score” assessing drug-related problems was also determined for each patient.Results: The addiction clinic group were younger, more likely to have experienced drug overdose and had a shorter duration of chronic pain. No significant differences in dependence questionnaire scores were found between groups. However, higher Pain Disability Index scores and higher Opioid Problem Checklist scores (indicating more drug-related problems) were found for the addiction clinic group.Conclusions: Some degree of dependence was present across both addiction and pain clinic groups, supporting the notion a state of dependence can be identified among chronic pain patients taking opioids long term. Aberrant behaviors were not common in the pain clinic sample, suggesting these patients are unlikely to meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V criteria for Substance Use Disorder. However, opioid dependence carries significant risks for relapse, chronicity, morbidity and mortality, warranting specific medical management. Management of such risks should be considered routine care in chronic pain patients taking opioids long term.