The DSM and its validity and reliability

Question 1

define classification system

Answer 1

a checklist of signs and symptoms which helps a clinician reach a diagnosis for a specific disorder, often by process of elimination

Question 2

define DSM

Answer 2

A classification system of mental disorders produced by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Question 3

what does ‘reliability’ refer to in this context ?

Answer 3

the consistency of measurements

Question 4

what does ‘validity’ refer to in this context ?

Answer 4

the ‘trueness’ or ‘legitimacy’ of the data collected

Question 5

when was the DSM-5 published ?

Answer 5

2013

Question 6

what is section one of the DSM-5 ?

Answer 6

guidance about using the new system

Question 7

what is section two of the DSM-5 ?

Answer 7

details of disorders are categorised according to our current understanding of underlying causes and similarities between symptoms. for example, for schizophrenia, the previous five subtypes (e.g., paranoid, catatonic) have been removed and a dimensional assessment added. THIS ALLOWS FOR THE INDEPENDENT MEASUREMENT OF THE LEVEL, NUMBER AND DURATION OF SYMPTOMS.

Question 8

what is section 3 of the DSM-5 ?

Answer 8

includes suggestions for new disorders (e.g., internet gaming disorder).

Question 9

what is descriptive validity ?

Answer 9

if 2 people with the same diagnosis exhibit similar symptoms

Question 10

what is aetiological validity ?

Answer 10

if 2 people with the same diagnosis share similar casual factors

Question 11

what is concurrent validity ?

Answer 11

if the clinician uses more than one method to diagnosis a person, and both methods lead to the same diagnosis

Question 12

what is predictive validity ?

Answer 12

if we can accurately predict outcomes for an individual from their diagnosis, e.g., CBT for depression can cause the individual to have fewer symptoms

Question 13

what is a strength of its reliability ?

Answer 13

diagnosing with the DSM is reliable because research evidence supports the claim that diagnosis is consistent

Question 14

what is the supporting evidence for its good reliability ?

Answer 14

regier et al. (2013) found higher inter-rater reliability for PTSD (kappa value of 0.6-0.79)

Question 15

what does the supporting evidence for the strong reliability of it suggest ?

Answer 15

it suggests that the DSM 5 is reliable because although the criteria for PTSD has changed over time, clinicians are still consistent in their diagnosis

Question 16

what is a weakness of its reliability ?

Answer 16

diagnosis of some MHCs may not be reliable because some diagnoses are not consistent

Question 17

what is the evidence to support the weakness of its reliability ?

Answer 17

regier et al. (2013) found interrater reliability for major depressive disorder was much lower (kappa value of 0.28)

Question 18

what does the supporting evidence for the weakness of its reliability suggest ?

Answer 18

it suggests that the DSM5 is not reliable because there is disagreement between clinicians about whether a person has major depressive disorder - could mean people are misdiagnosed

Question 19

what is a strength of its validity ?

Answer 19

diagnosing using the DSM4 is concurrently valid because research evidence supports its accuracy

Question 20

what is the supporting evidence for the strength of its validity ?

Answer 20

Kim-Cohen et al. (2005) interviewed children diagnosed with Conduct Disorder, observed the and gave questionnaires to the children’ teachers - found high concurrent validity as high scores on one measure correlated with those on the other

Question 21

what does the supporting evidence for the strength of its validity suggest ?

Answer 21

suggests DSM-4 is valid because the same diagnosis was achieved using a range of diagnostic measures - means a child is likely to get the right support they need to access school and develop relationships

Question 22

what a weakness of its validity ?

Answer 22

diagnosis of some Mental Health Conditions may not be valid because many psychologists have criticised the accuracy and usefulness of diagnosing in this way

Question 23

what is the supporting evidence for the weakness of its validity ?

Answer 23

Johnstone and Miners (2018) developed ‘trauma-informed approach’ where clinicians analyse the meaning underneath the symptom to understand the cause of the disorder - for example, the critical voices that someone diagnosed with schizophrenia hears has related to an abusive childhood

Question 24

what does the supporting evidence for the weakness of its validity suggest ?

Answer 24

it suggests that the diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions may not be meaningful because classifying a person with a disorder does not mean we understand the cause, it is just a label