Abstract
BackgroundThere is a need for psychiatric assessment instruments that enable reliable diagnoses in persons with hearing loss who have sign language as their primary language. The objective of this study was to assess the validity of the Norwegian Sign Language (NSL) version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).MethodsThe MINI was translated into NSL. Forty-one signing patients consecutively referred to two specialised psychiatric units were assessed with a diagnostic interview by clinical experts and with the MINI. Inter-rater reliability was assessed with Cohen’s kappa and “observed agreement”.ResultsThere was 65% agreement between MINI diagnoses and clinical expert diagnoses. Kappa values indicated fair to moderate agreement, and observed agreement was above 76% for all diagnoses. The MINI diagnosed more co-morbid conditions than did the clinical expert interview (mean diagnoses: 1.9 versus 1.2). Kappa values indicated moderate to substantial agreement, and “observed agreement” was above 88%.ConclusionThe NSL version performs similarly to other MINI versions and demonstrates adequate reliability and validity as a diagnostic instrument for assessing mental disorders in persons who have sign language as their primary and preferred language.
Highlights
There is a need for psychiatric assessment instruments that enable reliable diagnoses in persons with hearing loss who have sign language as their primary language
The present study investigates the functionality of a Norwegian Sign Language (NSL) version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
Two of them did not receive a diagnosis by expert opinion—four were considered to have major depressive disorder—and seven were diagnosed with disorders of psychological development, mild mental retardation, personality disorder or disorder of severe stress and adjustment, which are included in ICD 10, but not in the MINI
Summary
There is a need for psychiatric assessment instruments that enable reliable diagnoses in persons with hearing loss who have sign language as their primary language. In Norway and other countries, there is a need for valid and reliable instruments for assessment of mental disorders in deaf and severely hard-of-hearing persons who have sign language as their primary and preferred language (signers). The MINI is considered a supplement and not a substitution for regular diagnostic intake interviews. It is a structured evaluation of most of the major psychiatric conditions [4,5], and was selected for translation into Norwegian Sign Language (NSL)
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