The “extent of information desired”-scale in psychiatric in-patients: A behavioural approach

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the “extent of information desired” (EID)-scale through a behavioural approach. Methods Standardised interviews consisting of the EID-scale and four (half) open questions were conducted in a convenience sample of psychiatric in-patients and information seeking behaviour was measured. At the same time, socially desirable behaviour was assessed by means of Marlowe–Crowne social desirability (MCSD). Results 39 patients were interviewed. The behavioural approach yielded mixed results, but there was no correlation between EID- and MCSD-scores. Discussion From the calculated correlations information seeking behaviour is perceived as socially undesirable, whereas EID-scores seem unaffected by social desirability. Conclusion It is difficult to define independent variables which would reflect information seeking behaviour. The ones we used might have been confounded. We found a correlation between the EID-scale used and the information seeking behaviour, without a strong correlation with social desirability. Practice implications The EID-scale used may predict patients’ desire for information within a well-defined clinical context. The step to validation requires more robustness of the research model and a better profiling of patients.