goldstein clinical interview

Question 1

what were the aims of the study?

Answer 1

• to see if there were gender differences with regard to re-hospitalisation and length of stays
• social factors present before diagnosis + gender differences
• test DSM for reliability and validity

Question 2

what was the sample used?

Answer 2

• 90 patients (58 M, 32W) mean age 24 all with high level of education
• 87 were non-Hispanic white

Question 3

what was data gathered on?

Answer 3

• symptoms
• premorbid functioning
• course of the illness

Question 4

how was data gathered on symptoms?

Answer 4

• gathered by trained interviewers
• questions focused on hallucinations, paranoia and anxiety

Question 5

how was data gathered on premorbid functioning?

Answer 5

• measured by a questionnaire given by interviewers dealing with isolation, peer relationships and employment
• rated on a 6 point scale

Question 6

how was data on the course of illness gathered?

Answer 6

• counting the number of re-hospitalisations experienced
• the duration of stay in hospitals
• data taken from hospitals 5 and 10 years after diagnosis

Question 7

what were the results for mean number of re-hospitalisations over 10 years for males and females?

Answer 7

• males = 2.24
• females = 1.12

Question 8

what were the mean number of days spent in hospital for both males and females?

Answer 8

• males = 417.8
• females = 206.8

Question 9

what were the results of gender effect on re-hospitalisations due to premorbid functioning and social functioning?

Answer 9

• 13% due to premorbid functioning
• 4.3% due to social functioning

Question 10

what was the conclusion?

Answer 10

• women had less severe experiences with Sz than men
• DSM was a reliable tool for diagnosis
• premorbid and social functioning are important factors in development of Sz

Question 11

what was the agreement for re-diagnosis using the DSM3 and what technique was used?

Answer 11

• single blind technique
• 2 other experts diagnosed a random sample
• 169 rediagnosed
• 0.8 agreement

Question 12

what is a strength of generalisability?

Answer 12

• sample consisted of 90 ppts (58M and 32W) aged 18-45 with a mean age of 24
• informs psychiatrists about differences in gender and premorbid functioning in Sz

Question 13

what is a weakness of generalisability?

Answer 13

• no ppts over the age of 45 at the start of the study which may cause gender bias
• significant percentage of women who have Sz have the first episode after the age of 45
• findings about men having more severe experiences may be inaccurate

Question 14

why is the study high in interrater reliability?

Answer 14

• 2 other experts also undertook diagnosis of a random sample
• 0.8% agreement
• Goldstein also rediagnosed herself

Question 15

what is a strength of the data collected being highly objective?

Answer 15

• premorbid functioning measured using the GAF scale from 100-0 on ability to cope with everyday life
• also measured no. re-hospitalisations
• diagnosis of Sz more credible

Question 16

what is a positive application of the study?

Answer 16

• women and men may need different treatment strategies or during diagnosis for the best possible outcome of recovery

Question 17

what is a strength of the matched pairs design that was used?

Answer 17

• males and females matched on marital status, age and religion
• all from new york and had similar cultural background
• controls for ppt variables e.g. socioeconomic status wont affect the results validity

Question 18

what is a strength of primary and secondary data being collected?

Answer 18

• primary = questionnaires
• secondary = hospital records
• triangulation can be used which gives a better insight into Sz

Question 19

what was a strength of ethics?

Answer 19

• secondary data used which doesn’t cause any additional harm
• ethically sound and added positive implications to society to see if gender effects diagnosis