Estimated Data Collection Organization Effect in the National Medical Care Expenditure Survey

The National Medical Care Expenditure Survey, which has a complex survey design, is further complicated by combining two independently drawn national samples of households from the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) and the National Opinion Research Center (NORC). It is assumed that since the structures of these national-area samples are similar, they are thereby compatible and allow for the derivation of statistically equivalent unbiased national estimates of relevant health parameters. In this paper, national parameter estimates of relevant demographic and health measures were separately produced for each of the two survey organizations and a determination was made regarding statistical equivalence across samples. In addition, the data-collection organization effect was estimated and tested within the framework of a multivariate analysis appropriate for complex survey data. The findings consistently revealed a statistically nonsignificant data-collection organization effect when testing for differences in domain estimates of the relevant health parameters under consideration.     

A Viable Alternative to Resorting to Statistical Tables

It is shown in this article that, given the moments of a distribution, any percentage point can be accurately determined from an approximation of the corresponding density function in terms of the product of an appropriate baseline density and a polynomial adjustment. This approach, which is based on a moment-matching technique, is not only conceptually simple but easy to implement. As illustrated by several applications, the percentiles so obtained are in excellent agreement with the tabulated values. Whereas statistical tables, if at all available or accessible, can hardly ever cover all the potentially useful combinations of the parameters associated with a random quantity of interest, the proposed methodology has no such limitation.     

Double Sampling Designs in Multivariate Linear Models with Missing Variables

We provide a method for finding the optimal double sampling plan for estimating the mean value of a continuous outcome. It is assumed that the fallible and true outcome data are related by a multivariate linear regression model where only some of the explanatory variables are sampled. Conditions under which double sampling is preferred over standard sampling plans are determined. An application of the method to a well-known data set on air pollution is presented.     

On the distribution of some test statistics connected with the multivariate linear functional relationship model

An alternate representation of the densities of some test statistics for the structural coefficients of the multivariate linear functional relationship model is proposed in this article. These statistics are distributed as the ratio of a linear combination of chi-square variÂtes over the root of a product of chi-square variÂtes. A computable representation of their densities has already been derived by Provost (1984) with the help of the technique of the inverse Mellin transform. The connection of the alternate representation to the densities of products of independent beta type-2 and of independent F-random variables is also discussed.     

Alternate test statistics for a functional errors-in-variables model

Some test statistics for the structural coefficients of simultaneous equations model often referred to as the multivariate linear functional relationship model are proposed in this article. The following cases are considered: the covariance matrix of errors is either unknown, known up to a proportionality factor, or completely known. The exact and approximate distributions of the proposed test statistics, as well as those of some that are known, are also given.     

Psychological Vulnerability and Problem Gambling: The Mediational Role of Cognitive Distortions

Despite numerous studies demonstrating the influence of cognitive distortions on gambling problem severity, empirical data regarding the role of psychological vulnerability on the latter is limited. Hence, this study assesses the mediating effect of cognitive distortions between psychological vulnerability (personality and mood), and gambling problem severity. It also verifies whether the relationships between these variables differs according to the preferred gambling activity. The sample is composed of 272 male gamblers [191 poker players; 81 video lottery terminal (VLT) players] aged between 18 and 82 years (M = 35.2). Bootstrap analysis results revealed that cognitive distortions mediate the effect of narcissism on gambling problem severity for both groups. The level of depression for VLT players significantly predicted gambling problem severity, both directly and indirectly via the mediating effect of cognitive distortions. Mediation analyses also indicated that narcissism had an indirect impact on problem gambling through cognitive distortions for both groups. These findings suggest that certain vulnerabilities related to personality and mood may influence cognitive distortion intensity and gambling problem severity. In addition, psychological vulnerabilities could differ based on preferred gambling activity. These results may be useful for prevention policies, identifying high risk gamblers and planning psychological interventions.     

Personal reflection and experience of a Fulbright Scholar: teaching a mental health course in Vietnam’s changing culture

This paper documents the experience of developing and teaching a course on mental health for undergraduate social worker students during a semester in Vietnam. Social work is a profession at the early stages of development in Vietnam, requiring much curriculum development. There are over 40 universities with undergraduate social work education programs, but few of the faculty have had training or experience in practicing social work. The paper will summarize the main reasons for developing such a course given the current state of mental health need and services in a changing culture, as well as the current state of professional social work education and the newly established profession of social work. The author describes the contexts underlying the course—the status of social work and social work education in Vietnam, the context of mental health and mental illness in Vietnam, and curriculum adaptation to the cultural context. From this experience, the lessons learned about the role of cross-cultural critical thinking, cultural knowledge, and other strategies will be discussed about teaching a subject like mental health internationally.     

Links between childhood physical abuse and intimate partner aggression: the mediating role of anger expression

Research linking childhood physical abuse (CPA) and adult intimate partner aggression (IPA) has focused on individuals without sufficient attention to couple processes. In this study, 109 couples reported on histories of CPA, IPA, and anger expression. Actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) was used to examine links between CPA and revictimization and perpetration of IPA, with anger suppression as a potential mediator. Women's CPA histories were associated with more physical aggression towards and more revictimization by partners. Men's CPA histories were only associated at the trend level with their revictimization. Anger suppression fully mediated the link between women's CPA and both revictimization and perpetration of IPA. Findings suggest that women with CPA histories are more prone to suppress anger, which leaves them at greater risk for revictimization and perpetration of IPA.