Methods and Sources of Assessment Information 2 Flashcards
Describe the initial interview Explain the differences between structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews
What is the primary purpose of interviews?
To gather back-ground information relevant to the client’s current problems.
When interviews are used in the assessment process?
Usually the 1st step before other assessment methods are used
How obtaining background information from interview helps counsellor?
helps counselors:
o understand the context for the client’s current concerns
o determine the longevity of problems and symptoms
o tailor plans for interventions to the client’s specific context
What are the feature of interviews?
- Serve as the basis for selecting other instruments in the assessment process
- Are continuous throughout the assessment process
- Provide a context within which to interpret the results from future assessment methods
How important is the initial interview?
considered the cornerstone of assessment—without interview data, there is no context in which to interpret results from other assessment methods.
What are the Types of Interviews?
o structured
o semi-structured
o unstructured
What is the Degrees of Structure in Interviews? And how it is determined?
Interviews can have little structure, allowing counselors to freely drift from one topic to the next, or they can be highly structured and goal oriented.
The degree of structure depends on:
- the purpose of the interview, the population (e.g., child or adult)
- the setting (e.g., school, research institute, outpatient counseling center, psychiatric hospital, etc.)
- the skill of the counselor (e.g., ability to relate data to a decision tree for the diagnostic process).
What is a Structured Interview?
a formal assessment procedure, consist of specific questions formulate ahead of time, which the counselor has to adhere to
How you can describe Structured Interview in comparison with other type of interview?
Structured interviews are the most rigorous and the least flexible interview format.
What are the benefits to structured interviews?
They ensure that specific information will be collected from all interviewees.
They do not require as much training because all interviewers have a list of questions in a prescribed order.
Because of the standardization, they substantially improve reliability of the assessment process.
How counsellor use structured interviews?
counselors are required to ask each client exactly the same questions in the same manner and not deviate from the text.
What are the Issues with Structured Interviews?
Because counselors are not allowed to deviate from the text, the use of structured interviews is often criticized for potentially damaging rapport with a client and preventing the therapeutic alliance between counselor and client from being established
Counselors in clinical settings may see structured interviews as impractical because of time constraints
What are Semi-structured Interviews?
Semi-structured interviews are either standardized or non-standardized instruments, and they consist of guidelines and a scripted set of questions to follow, but allow for flexibility in responding to interviewee responses.
How structured Interviews and Semi-structured Interviews differ?
Semi-structured have greater reliability and validity than unstructured interviews.
In Semi-structured interviews counselors can deviate from the text, change the wording of Qs, change the order of Qs, and expand on client’s responses
In Semi-structured interviews interviewers are allowed to probe and expand on the interviewee’s responses
Why counselors might find structured interviews impractical?
because of the time requirement
Why structured interviews are still important
o Why is still important? there is still a need for interview tools that have structure and provide a means for gathering detailed information.
Where Unstructured Interviews are commonly used?
Most commonly used in mental health settings
What are the features of Unstructured Interviews?
- Great flexibility. Do not rely on a set of specific Qs.
- The counselor can pursue specific areas in more depth which they think are relevant
- However, unstructured interviewing is not an agendaless process
- Questionable regarding reliability and validity
- Every counselor’s interview is different from the other
Unstructured interviews have similarities with counseling. What are the similarities?
o Building rapport
o Establishing safety and trust
o Use of effective listening skills (reflective skills, effective questioning)
Unstructured interviews differ from counseling. How?
o Primary goal is to obtain relevant client information
o Therapeutic experience secondary to gathering client information
The unstructured interview has several advantages to other types of interviews. What are they?
(a) the interviewer is free to pursue important but unanticipated topics
(b) the interviewee has more choice in deciding what to talk about
(c) there is more opportunity for building rapport, which is important to the success of counseling.
What are the Common Domains of Unstructured Interviews?
o Identifying Information
Name, address, phone number, age, gender, date of birth, workplace, relationship status, and referral source
o Presenting Problem
The client’s primary problems or concerns
o Family History
Information about the client’s family background, including information about first-degree relatives (parents, siblings), the composition of the family during the client’s childhood and adolescence, and the quality of relationships with family members both past and present
o Relationship History
The client’s current living situation, current and previous marital/ nonmarital relationships, children, and social support
o Developmental History
Significant developmental events that may influence current problems or circumstances
o Educational History
Schools attended, educational level attained, and any professional, technical, and/or vocational training
o Employment History
Current employment status, length of tenure on past jobs, military service (rank and duties), job performance, job losses, leaves of absence, and occupational injuries
o Medical History
Previous and current medical problems (major illnesses and injuries), medications, hospitalizations, and disabilities
o Previous Psychiatric or Counseling Experiences
Previous psychiatric or counseling services in inpatient or outpatient settings, and any psychiatric medications
What are the PROPERTIES of each interview type?
Unstructured interviews: Very flexible Informal Interviewer may follow a general format Widely-used
Semi-structured interviews:
Somewhat flexible
Not completely standardized
Interviewers may prove and expand interviewee responses
Structured interviews: Less flexible Formal No deviation in procedure Often used in research settings
What is the Guidelines for Interviews? First 4 steps
- Have a clear idea of why the individual is being interviewed. The kinds of questions asked depend on the types of decisions to be made after the interview.
- Be concerned about the physical setting or environment for the interview.
o Interviews will go better if the environment is quiet and comfortable. If the room is noisy or has poor lighting, it may detract from the quality of the information gained. - Begin the interview by introducing yourself and indicating the seating arrangement you prefer.
o Seating should be arranged so that the interviewer and the interviewee are appropriately spaced with no physical barriers (such as desks) between seats. - Explain the purpose of the interview and how the session will proceed. Explain how the interview information will be used.
What is the Guidelines for Interviews? last 4 steps
- Describe the confidential nature of interview and the limits of confidentiality. In addition, explain that the client has the right not to discuss any information he or she does not wish to disclose.
o If conducting a standardized semistructured or a structured interview, abide by the published administration procedures. - Begin with open-ended questions and use more direct (closed) questions to fill in gaps. Avoid “why” questions because they may increase interviewee defensiveness.
- Be alert to the nonverbal as well as verbal behavior of the interviewee. How a person says something may be as important as what is said.
- Observe and follow time restraints. Alert the interviewee when 5 or 10 minutes remain until the end of the interview. Provide interviewee’s an opportunity to ask any questions or make comments.
