Clinical assessment (chapter 9)

Question 1

For psychologists who work in the mental health setting, it is important to clarify that the referral question is what for a client?

Answer 1

Realistic and answerable

Question 2

Why is a psychological report important?

Answer 2

Because it allows the client and referral agent to understand the rationale of the psychologist’s conclusions and suggestions

Question 3

List three general objectives of an assessment interview

Answer 3

Gather information not easily obtainable through other means, develop greater understanding in both the interviewer and interviewee, develop rapport with interviewee

Question 4

What is the DASS, what does it measure, and where was it developed?

Answer 4

The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, self-report technique developed in Australia to measure depression, anxiety and stress states

Question 5

List five areas usually covered in a mental status examination:

Answer 5

(AAIOT) Appearance, affect, insight, orientation, thought content and process

Question 6

Which has lower validity and reliability, structured or unstructured interviews?

Answer 6

Unstructured

Question 7

Name the most commonly used personality test worldwide

Answer 7

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality-Inventory-second ed. (MMPI-2)

Question 8

What is the WAIS-IV and what ages what it developed for?

Answer 8

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Ed, adults between 16-90

Question 9

List the perceptual reasoning subtests of the WAIS-IV

Answer 9

Block design, visual puzzles (figure weight), matrix reasoning

Question 10

List 7 common clinical tests

Answer 10

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)

Question 11

What is generally the starting point in clinical assessment?

Answer 11

The referral question

Question 12

What is a clinical interview, and it’s aim?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is the aim of a referral question? Why do we have to clarify it?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is the point of gathering case history data (biographical and demographical data) in addition to clinical interview with a client? Give example

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What are some effective interviewing techniques?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What is the difference between structured and unstructured interviewing?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

List five possible areas to explore for clinical interview:

Answer 17

Medical history, education history, hobbies, job history, social networks/relationships

Question 18

What is a mental status examination?

Answer 18

A comprehensive set of questions and observations used in a mental health setting to systematically assess the mental state of a client

Question 19

List five possible areas of questioning for a mental status examination

Answer 19

(AABOMSA) Appearance, affect behaviour, orientation (time of year, where they are), memory, sensorium (can they concentrate)

Question 20

What must be clear, specific, and answerable?

Answer 20

A referral question

Question 21

How many scales, subtests, and supplemental subtests does the WAIS-IV have? List them.

Answer 21

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)

Question 22

List a strength and 2 limitations of the WAIS-IV

Answer 22

High reliability and validity.

Takes a long time to administer, failure to take into account advances in intelligence theories