Hybrid test for the hypothesis of symmetry

In recent years, McWilliams and Tajuddin have proposed new and more powerful non-parametric tests of symmetry for continuous distributions about a known center. In this paper, we propose a simple non-parametric two-stage procedure based on the sign test and a percentile-modified two-sample Wilcoxon test. The small-sample properties of this test, Tajuddin's test, McWilliams' test and a modified runs test of Modarres and Gastwirth are investigated in a Monte Carlo simulation study. The simulations indicate that, for a wide variety of asymmetric alternatives in the lambda family, the hybrid test is more powerful than are existing tests in the literature.     

Confidence intervals on intraclass correlation coefficients in a balanced two-factor random design

A modified large-sample (MLS) approach and a generalized confidence interval (GCI) approach are proposed for constructing confidence intervals for intraclass correlation coefficients. Two particular intraclass correlation coefficients are considered in a reliability study. Both subjects and raters are assumed to be random effects in a balanced two-factor design, which includes subject-by-rater interaction. Computer simulation is used to compare the coverage probabilities of the proposed MLS approach (GiTTCH) and GCI approaches with the Leiva and Graybill [1986. Confidence intervals for variance components in the balanced two-way model with interaction. Comm. Statist. Simulation Comput. 15, 301–322] method. The competing approaches are illustrated with data from a gauge repeatability and reproducibility study. The GiTTCH method maintains at least the stated confidence level for interrater reliability. For intrarater reliability, the coverage is accurate in several circumstances but can be liberal in some circumstances. The GCI approach provides reasonable coverage for lower confidence bounds on interrater reliability, but its corresponding upper bounds are too liberal. Regarding intrarater reliability, the GCI approach is not recommended because the lower bound coverage is liberal. Comparing the overall performance of the three methods across a wide array of scenarios, the proposed modified large-sample approach (GiTTCH) provides the most accurate coverage for both interrater and intrarater reliability.     

Do Infants Show Distinct Negative Facial Expressions for Fear and Anger? Emotional Expression in 11‐Month‐Old European American,Chinese, and Japanese Infants

Do infants show distinct negative facial expressions for different negative emotions? To address this question, European American, Chinese, and Japanese 11‐month‐olds were videotaped during procedures designed to elicit mild anger or frustration and fear. Facial behavior was coded using Baby FACS, an anatomically based scoring system. Infants' nonfacial behavior differed across procedures, suggesting that the target emotions were successfully elicited. However evidence for distinct emotion‐specific facial configurations corresponding to fear versus anger was not obtained. Although facial responses were largely similar across cultures, some differences also were observed. Results are discussed in terms of functionalist and dynamical systems approaches to emotion and emotional expression.     

EVALUATING PDAS FOR DATA COLLECTION IN FAMILY RESEARCH WITH NON-PROFESSIONAL COUPLES

Repeated measures designs such as daily diary methods provide flexibility for examinations of fluid phenomena. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) as data collection tools with an end of the day (EOD) diary design and a non-professional sample. Participants reported the PDA was easy to use, convenient and enhanced the privacy of their responses. The PDAs minimized data entry errors and increased the data validity because responses were time stamped. Given the overall positive nature of participant reactions and the additional data PDAs make available to the researcher, the technology is recommended for further use in collecting data with non-professionals or in other couple or family research.     

Counting Young Carers in Switzerland – A Study of Prevalence

An online survey of children in school grades 4–9 (mostly aged 10–15) was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of young carers in Switzerland using a 2‐stage stratified sampling approach. 4082 respondents were drawn from 230 schools. A total of 3991 respondents were included in the analysis and of these 307 (7.7%) were identified as young carers. The population estimate of prevalence was 7.9 per cent. This suggests that there are around 38 400 young carers in school grades 4–9 in Switzerland. Extrapolating to the 9–16 age group gives a figure of almost 51 500.     

Pilot testing the detection of elder abuse through emergency care technicians (DETECT) screening tool: results from the DETECT pilot project

Objective: To pilot test the feasibility of implementing an elder abuse (EA) screening tool (DETECT) designed for medics.

Methods: Testing occurred between September 17th, 2015 and October 26th, 2015. MedStar Mobile Healthcare medics completed the DETECT tool when responding to calls for community-dwelling patients 65 years of age or older.

Results: The DETECT tool was used 1,248 times by 97% of medics responding to an eligible 911 call. Medics responded affirmatively to at least one screening item on 209 of the completed screenings (16.8%). Immediately following the introduction of the DETECT tool, there was an increase of 5.4 (226% above baseline) reports per month (p = 0.0056).

Conclusions: The DETECT tool was easily incorporated into medic’s field-based practice and resulted in an increase in medic generated reports of EA to APS. Future research designed to evaluate the tool’s validity and reliability are warranted.     

Internalizing and externalizing problems and parenting: Results from a Saudi Arabian sample

Relatively few studies have attempted to identify factors that contribute to variation in parental behavior. The literature has revealed associations between both internal and external factors in the variation in parenting behaviors. In addition, the vast majority of the existing literature has focused almost exclusively on Western cultures (e.g., the USA). The current study addresses these limitations by examining direct and indirect pathways involving both internal and external sources of influence on parenting behaviors in a sample of adults from Saudi Arabia (N = 196). The employed statistical models revealed robust and consistent direct associations between the examined internalizing sources of influence (self-control and psychopathy) and parenting behaviors. Subsequent models revealed some evidence of mediation stemming from external sources of influence (namely, aggression). However, the resulting indirect effects were inconsistent, indicating that other, unmeasured mechanisms ultimately connect the examined internalizing problems and parenting behaviors.