Clinical assessment (chapter 9) Flashcards
For psychologists who work in the mental health setting, it is important to clarify that the referral question is what for a client?
Realistic and answerable
Why is a psychological report important?
Because it allows the client and referral agent to understand the rationale of the psychologist’s conclusions and suggestions
List three general objectives of an assessment interview
Gather information not easily obtainable through other means, develop greater understanding in both the interviewer and interviewee, develop rapport with interviewee
What is the DASS, what does it measure, and where was it developed?
The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, self-report technique developed in Australia to measure depression, anxiety and stress states
List five areas usually covered in a mental status examination:
(AAIOT) Appearance, affect, insight, orientation, thought content and process
Which has lower validity and reliability, structured or unstructured interviews?
Unstructured
Name the most commonly used personality test worldwide
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality-Inventory-second ed. (MMPI-2)
What is the WAIS-IV and what ages what it developed for?
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Ed, adults between 16-90
List the perceptual reasoning subtests of the WAIS-IV
Block design, visual puzzles (figure weight), matrix reasoning
List 7 common clinical tests
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV), Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2), Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)
What is generally the starting point in clinical assessment?
The referral question
What is a clinical interview, and it’s aim?
It’s a method of gathering data about an individual, with the goal of understanding the interviewee’s background so you can interpret test scores
What is the aim of a referral question? Why do we have to clarify it?
To provide justification or rationale for testing and assessment. Must be clarified as they can be too broad/unrealistic, this facilitates hypotheses and selection of appropriate assessment tools
What is the point of gathering case history data (biographical and demographical data) in addition to clinical interview with a client? Give example
It’s useful to collect info from a number of sources for verification, e.g., might be hard to get educational info from a client with memory/language deficits – better to ask family/partners
What are some effective interviewing techniques?
The “right” attitude (I.e. warm, genuine, open, understanding etc.), don’t interrogate with “why” questions, use open ended questions, use active listening, make understanding statements (paraphrase, summarise
What is the difference between structured and unstructured interviewing?
Structured – asked in specific order, standardised set of rules so norms can be developed, usually to assess for DSM disorder
Unstructured – no specific questions or guidelines, questions decided based on map of areas to be covered and how interviewee responds
List five possible areas to explore for clinical interview:
Medical history, education history, hobbies, job history, social networks/relationships
What is a mental status examination?
A comprehensive set of questions and observations used in a mental health setting to systematically assess the mental state of a client
List five possible areas of questioning for a mental status examination
(AABOMSA) Appearance, affect behaviour, orientation (time of year, where they are), memory, sensorium (can they concentrate)
What must be clear, specific, and answerable?
A referral question
How many scales, subtests, and supplemental subtests does the WAIS-IV have? List them.
Four scales, 10 subtests, five supplementary subtests. Verbal comprehension index (VVISC; vocabulary, information, similarities, supplemental: comprehension) Perceptual reasoning index (PBMVFP; block design, matrix reasoning, visual puzzles, sup: figure weights, picture completion), Working memory (WADL; arithmetic, digit span, sup: letter-number sequencing); Processing speed (PSCC; symbol search, coding, sup: cancellation)
List a strength and 2 limitations of the WAIS-IV
High reliability and validity.
Takes a long time to administer, failure to take into account advances in intelligence theories
