The Development of a Short Form of the Indonesian Version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition

(1) Background: The Wechsler intelligence scales are very popular in clinical practice and for research purposes. However, they are time consuming to administer. Therefore, researchers and psychologists have explored the possibility of shorter test battery compositions. (2) Methods: In this study, we investigated 13 potential short forms of the Indonesian version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV-ID). An existing standardization data set of 1745 Indonesian participants collected for the validation of the WAIS-IV-ID was used to examine the short forms' validity. These ranged from 2-subtest versions to 7-subtest versions. Regression analyses with goodness-of-fit measures were performed, and regression equations were determined for each short form to estimate the Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) score. Discrepancies between the FSIQ and the estimated FSIQ (FSIQEst) scores were examined and classification accuracies were calculated for each short form (% agreement of intelligence classification between the FSIQEst and FSIQ). (3) Results: None of the 13 short form FSIQEst values significantly differed from the FSIQ scores based on the full WAIS-IV-ID, and strong correlations were observed between each of these values. The classification accuracies of the short forms were between 56.8% and 81.0%. The 4-subtest short form of the WAIS-IV-ID consisting of the subtests Matrix Reasoning, Information, Arithmetic, and Coding had the optimal balance between best classification values and a short administration duration. The validity of this short form was demonstrated in a second study in an independent sample (N = 20). (4) Conclusions: Based on the results presented here, the WAIS-IV-ID short forms are able to reliably estimate the FSIQ, with a significant shorter administration duration. The WAIS-IV-ID short form consisting of four subtests, Matrix Reasoning, Information, Arithmetic, and Coding, was the best version according to our criteria.

On the relationship between valence and arousal in samples across the globe

Affect is involved in many psychological phenomena, but a descriptive structure, long sought, has been elusive. Valence and arousal are fundamental, and a key question-the focus of the present study-is the relationship between them. Valence is sometimes thought to be independent of arousal, but, in some studies (representing too few societies in the world) arousal was found to vary with valence. One common finding is that arousal is lowest at neutral valence and increases with both positive and negative valence: a symmetric V-shaped relationship. In the study reported here of self-reported affect during a remembered moment (N = 8,590), we tested the valence-arousal relationship in 33 societies with 25 different languages. The two most common hypotheses in the literature-independence and a symmetric V-shaped relationship-were not supported. With data of all samples pooled, arousal increased with positive but not negative valence. Valence accounted for between 5% (Finland) and 43% (China Beijing) of the variance in arousal. Although there is evidence for a structural relationship between the two, there is also a large amount of variability in this relation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Application of a new system for classifying root canal morphology in undergraduate teaching and clinical practice: a national survey in Malaysia

AIM

To evaluate and compare the feedback of final year undergraduate dental students in eight Malaysian dental schools on the application of a new system for classifying root canal morphology in teaching and clinical practice.

METHODS

One PowerPoint presentation describing two classification systems for root canal morphology (Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology, 1974 38, 456 and its supplemental configurations, International Endodontic Journal 2017, 50, 761) was delivered to final year undergraduate dental students in eight dental schools in Malaysia by two presenters (each presented to four schools). To examine students' feedback on the utility of each system, printed questionnaires consisting of six questions (five multiple choice questions and one open-ended question) were distributed and collected after the lecture. The questionnaire was designed to compare the classification systems in terms of accuracy, practicability, understanding of root canal morphology and recommendation for use in pre-clinical and clinical courses. The exact test was used for statistical analysis, with the level of significance set at 0.05 (P = 0.05).

RESULTS

A total of 382 (out of 447) students participated giving a response rate of 86%. More than 90% of students reported that the new system was more accurate and more practical compared with the Vertucci system (P < 0.001). Overall, 97% of students reported the new system helped their understanding of root and canal morphology compared with the Vertucci classification (P < 0.001). Over 97% of students recommended the use of the new system in teaching, pre-clinical courses and clinical practice (P < 0.001). Except for two schools, no significant difference was detected between the responses of students for all questions at the different schools (P > 0.05). The students' responses for all questions were almost similar for both presenters (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The new system of International Endodontic Journal 2017, 50, 761 for classifying root and canal morphology was favoured by final year undergraduate dental students in Malaysia. The new system has the potential to be included in the undergraduate endodontic curriculum for teaching courses related to root and canal morphology.

Acceptance versus catastrophizing in predicting quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pain catastrophizing, acceptance, and quality of life in relation to chronic low back pain in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. We also analyze the effect of personality in catastrophizing and acceptance.

Methods

A total of 52 chronic low back pain patients were enrolled as participants from 2 hospitals in Jakarta (43 females, 9 males, mean age 54.38 years). Participants completed a set of self-reported questionnaires: the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-Revised (CPAQ-R), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Pain Discomfort Module (PDM).

Results

This study showed that acceptance increased the patient's quality of life by giving physical relief from pain. In contrast, pain catastrophizing decreased the quality of life, and increased the patients' tendency to get frustrated, irritated, and anxious about the pain. From a personality perspective, the trait neuroticism may lead to a higher level of pain catastrophizing.

Conclusions

This study showed that catastrophizing, compared with acceptance, had a greater impact on the patient's life by reducing its quality.