Clinician-administered Interviews Research Articles

Validation of the EDDS-5 self-report survey against the SCID-5 diagnostic interview in US veterans

The aim of our study was to validate the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS-5) updated for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) with a diverse veteran population against a clinician-administered interview based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5). Our sample included 343 veterans, 18–75 years, recruited April 2019 to December 2022 who completed the EDDS-5 as well as other eating disorder and mental health measures. A subsample of these veterans received clinical interviews (n = 166), which were used to validate the EDDS-5. We found that despite multiple proposed modifications, the EDDS-5 performed poorly at correctly identifying diverse veterans who were diagnosed as having eating disorders through clinician-administered interviews. The sensitivity was very low, indicating that using the EDDS-5 did not identify many true positives and may also over diagnose those without true eating disorders. The EDDS-5 may not be the best for screening or diagnostic purposes among diverse samples like veterans.

Clinician-administered interviews should not be considered the ‘gold standard’ method of assessing psychological distress

Clinician-administered interviews are widely considered the ‘gold standard’ method of assessing psychological distress. We challenge this assumption by noting that there is no empirical evidence demonstrating that psychological distress scores derived from clinician-administered interviews more accurately reflect true psychological distress scores than those derived from self-report questionnaires. Furthermore, we argue that the clinician-administered interview method is not well-suited to measuring subjective experiences of psychological distress and is likely to generate higher levels of measurement error compared to self-reports due to there being two sources of measurement error: the interviewee and the interviewer. Contrary to popular opinion, we argue that the self-report method is superior to the clinician-administered interview method for assessing subjective psychological distress.

Empirically Defining Treatment Response and Remission in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory–Revised

In clinical trials of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), clinical outcomes are generally measured using lengthy clinician-administered interviews. However, in routine clinical practice, many clinicians lack the time to administer such instruments. This study evaluated cutoffs for treatment response and remission in OCD using the self-rated Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory—Revised (OCI-R). Data from 349 patients in three clinical trials of cognitive-behavioral therapy for OCD were pooled for analysis. The OCI-R was compared to gold-standard criteria for response and remission based on the clinician-administered Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and the Clinical Global Impression Scale. The results showed that a ≥40% reduction on the OCI-R was the optimal cutoff for treatment response, with a sensitivity of 0.72 and a specificity of 0.79. For remission status, the optimal cutoff was ≤8 points on the OCI-R, with a sensitivity of 0.57 and specificity of 0.83. Results from additional analyses using the 12-item version of the OCI were similar. These cutoffs provide a simple and time-efficient way to help determine treatment response and remission in OCD when the administration of clinician-administered instruments is unfeasible.

Graded response item response theory in scaling suicidal thoughts and behaviors among trauma-exposed women with substance use disorders.

Objective: The co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUD) and trauma-exposure is a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). However, traditional methods of measurement for suicidal thoughts and behaviors are limited by an overreliance on dichotomous (i.e., yes or no) and averaged/summed scale score measurements. Further, among trauma-exposed individuals with SUD, it remains unclear which specific demographic factors, types of SUDs, and trauma sequelae (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptom clusters) may be associated with elevated STB. The present study utilized item response theory to (a) generate empirically derived STB severity scores and, (b) examine which demographic factors, SUD diagnoses, and DSM-IV PTSD symptom clusters are associated with suicidality in a trauma-exposed sample with SUDs. Method: Female trauma-exposed participants with SUDs (N = 544) were recruited from community substance use treatment facilities in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN). Clinician-administered interviews assessed STB, SUDs, and PTSD symptoms. Results: Results indicated that the unidimensional item response theory (IRT) model used to estimate latent STB severity scores fit well, with strong local reliability at higher levels of latent STB severity. Regression predictors of elevated STB severity included younger age, opioid dependence, and higher PTSD reexperiencing symptoms. Conclusions: Clinicians are advised to screen for and target opioid use disorders and reexperiencing symptoms when addressing suicidal thoughts and behavior in trauma-exposed individuals with SUDs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The nature of posttraumatic stress disorder in treatment-seeking first responders

ABSTRACT Background Approximately 10% of first responders report posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although reports within first responders suggest that they have distinct symptom presentations, there is a need to understand how the clinical profiles of first responders may differ from others seeking treatment for PTSD. Objective This study compared the PTSD symptom profiles of first responder and civilians seeking treatment for PTSD. Method Participants self-referred to the Traumatic Stress Clinic (University of New South Wales, Sydney) for enrolment in out-patient treatment trials for PTSD. Participants comprised people of mean age 41.72 years (SD = 10.71) who met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. The sample was composed of 128 first responders and 182 civilians. Clinician-administered interviews of PTSD (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale) and depression were conducted, as well as measures of self-report measures of depression, alcohol use, posttraumatic appraisals, and anger. Results First responders reported greater rates of dysphoric cluster of symptoms, including diminished interest, emotional numbing, and social detachment, and less psychological reactivity and avoidance of situations, than civilians with PTSD. Beyond PTSD symptoms, first responders also reported more severe levels of depression and suppressed anger. Conclusions These findings indicate that treatment-seeking first responders present with a distinct clinical profile that is characterized by dysphoric symptoms. These symptoms can predict poor treatment response and require specific attention in treating PTSD in first responders.

Mental health assessments in refugees and asylum seekers: evaluation of a tablet-assisted screening software

BackgroundMental health problems resulting from persecution and forced migration are very common among refugees and asylum seekers and evolve into a major public health challenge in hosting societies. Language barriers often prevent timely access to appropriate health care, leading to chronic trajectories and abortive social integration. Tools for multilingual screening and assessment could be of great benefit for this particularly vulnerable population as well as for policy makers. This study aimed at testing the reliability, feasibility and usability of the Multi-Adaptive Psychological Screening Software (MAPSS), a newly developed Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview Software (ACASI) for touchscreen devices, for screening purposes in a clinical setting.MethodsIn a randomized cross-over design including both MAPSS and paper-pencil clinician-administered interviews, 30 treatment-seeking refugees completed clinical measures and a feasibility questionnaire to rate the user interface of MAPSS. Five professionals performed given tasks in MAPSS and completed usability questionnaires for the administration interface.ResultsResults showed no differences between the two assessment modalities with regard to symptom scores. The findings suggest good feasibility and usability of MAPSS in traumatized refugees. The administration via MAPSS was significantly shorter than the paper-pencil interview.ConclusionMAPSS may be a cost-effective, flexible and valid alternative to interpreter-based psychometric screening and assessment.

Maternal posttraumatic stress disorder and infant developmental outcomes in a South African birth cohort study.

To investigate the association between maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and infant development in a South African birth cohort. Data from the Drakenstein Child Health Study were analyzed. Maternal psychopathology was assessed using self-report and clinician-administered interviews; and 6-month infant development using the Bayley III Scales of Infant Development. Linear regression analyses explored associations between predictor and outcome variables. Data from 111 mothers and 112 infants (1 set of twins) were included. Most mothers (72%) reported lifetime trauma exposure; the lifetime prevalence of PTSD was 20%. Maternal PTSD was significantly associated with poorer fine motor and adaptive behavior - motor development; the latter remaining significant when adjusted for site, alcohol dependence, and infant head-circumference-for-age z score at birth. Maternal PTSD may be associated with impaired infant neurodevelopment. Further work in low- and middle-income populations may improve early childhood development in this context. (PsycINFO Database Record

Hypersomnia: an overlooked, but not overestimated, sleep disturbance in bipolar disorder

ABSTRACT FROM: Steinan MK, Scott J, Lagerberg TV, et al . Sleep problems in bipolar disorders: more than just insomnia. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2016;133:368–77. Sleep disturbances are common across bipolar...

The German Version of the H-YBOCS for the Assessment of Hypochondriacal Cognitions and Behaviors: Development, Reliability and Validity

Clinician-administered interviews are essential for assessing the efficacy of treatment studies and constitute an important instrument for clinical practice. Recently, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale was adapted for the dimensional assessment of hypochondriacal characteristics (H-YBOCS) and yielded promising results. This study aimed to develop and validate a German version of the H-YBOCS. Altogether, 101 patients with hypochondriasis and 49 patients with anxiety disorders were diagnosed using the German version of the H-YBOCS. Well-established questionnaires for assessing hypochondriacal characteristics and the general psychopathology were administered as well. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested a three-factor structure for the German version of the H-YBOCS (cognitive factor, behavioral factor, and insight factor). The current version of H-YBOCS demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.93) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = .97). Convergent and discriminant validity were also confirmed by high correlations with questionnaires such as the Illness Attitudes Scales (r = 0.81) and non-significant correlations with the Brief Symptom Inventory (r = 0.12). The H-YBOCS discriminated between patients with hypochondriasis and those with anxiety disorder, with high sensitivity (0.94) and specificity (0.78). The German version of the H-YBOCS proved to be a highly effective interview instrument for the dimensional assessment of hypochondriacal characteristics and therefore constitutes an important contribution to scientific research and clinical practice.

The Influence of Diabetes on a Clinician-Rated Assessment of Depression in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

The purpose of the study was to examine the role of diabetes and diabetes-related distress within clinician-administered depression interviews of adults with type 1 diabetes. This mixed-methods study coded responses to a structured clinical interview of depressive symptom severity administered to adults with type 1 diabetes (n = 34; 65% female; 56% white, 38% African American, 27% Hispanic). Pearson correlations and t tests assessed relationships between interview-based and self-reported ratings of diabetes-related distress and depression. Among participants endorsing depressive symptoms in the interview, 73% mentioned diabetes as a contributing factor. Themes emerged relating to (1) a link between diabetes symptoms and distress, including problems with appetite, sleep, concentration, and social relationships; (2) overlapping symptoms between diabetes and depression; and (3) the perceived interconnectedness of mood and blood glucose levels. Clinician-assessed depression ratings were strongly associated with self-reported ratings of depression and self-reported diabetes-related distress. Interview-based diabetes-related distress was significantly associated with self-reported diabetes-related distress. Those with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (44%) reported more diabetes-related distress. Results suggest that diabetes may influence the evaluation of depression, even in standardized clinical interviews administered by trained professionals, the gold standard of assessment. Findings highlight a need for improved conceptualization and measurement of distress in individuals with diabetes to distinguish between symptoms caused by illness burden and those indicating a psychiatric disorder.

A longitudinal investigation of the impact of life stress on HIV treatment adherence

Suboptimal antiretroviral adherence is associated with poorer HIV outcomes. Psychosocial factors, including life stress, depression and coping, may influence adherence behavior. This prospective investigation sought to examine the impact of life stress (acute life events, chronic stress, and perceived stress), depression, and coping style on adherence to HIV treatment regimes over time. Participants were 87 treatment-seeking HIV-infected individuals recruited from an urban HIV clinic. They completed clinician-administered interviews and self-report questionnaires at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Acute life events and chronic stress prospectively predicted decreases in treatment adherence more strongly among individuals in a major depressive episode (n = 21) compared to non-depressed individuals (n = 66). Coping style did not appear to be the mechanism by which life stress influenced adherence among depressed HIV-infected individuals. These findings demonstrate that life stress has toxic effects for depressed individuals and suggest that treatment adherence interventions with depressed individuals could be enhanced via development of stress management skills.

Variation in tobacco use profiles obtained from periodontal maintenance patients

Objectives To compare methods of tobacco use profiling in patients undergoing maintenance treatment for periodontitis. Methods The smoking status of 108 subjects attending a university-based specialist periodontics clinic was assessed by examination of referring records, patient-completed questionnaires, clinician-administered interviews and by salivary cotinine and expired-air carbon monoxide (ECO) measurement. Results Ten percent of the detected smokers (salivary cotinine > 14.2 ng ml −1) reported to be non-smokers in the clinician-administered interview. 4.2% of the smokers detected by ECO analysis (ECO > 8 ppm) reported to be non-smokers in the clinician-administered interview. Systematic under reporting of tobacco use was also apparent in patient-completed questionnaires from the periodontics clinic and, to a larger degree, in the referring clinic records when compared to the clinician-administered interview. Conclusions By biochemically analyzing recent cigarette smoke exposure, our data show that clinician assessment is the most accurate means by which to obtain anamnestic data concerning tobacco use. ECO analysis using portable CO monitors is inexpensive and simple with no requirement for laboratory support. The combination of ECO measurement and clinician-administered tobacco use interview represents a clinically applicable method to improve the detection of an important, periodontally susceptible population—regular smokers who deny smoking.

Comparison of pain, cortisol levels, and psychological distress in women undergoing surgical termination of pregnancy under local anaesthesia versus intravenous sedation

BackgroundThe weight of evidence suggests that women who freely choose to terminate a pregnancy are unlikely to experience significant mental health risks, however some studies have documented psychological distress in the form of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression in the aftermath of termination. Choice of anaesthetic has been suggested as a determinant of outcome. This study compared the effects of local anaesthesia and intravenous sedation, administered for elective surgical termination, on outcomes of pain, cortisol, and psychological distress.Methods155 women were recruited from a private abortion clinic and state hospital (mean age: 25.4 ± 6.1 years) and assessed on various symptom domains, using both clinician-administered interviews and self-report measures just prior to termination, immediately post-procedure, and at 1 month and 3 months post-procedure. Morning salivary cortisol assays were collected prior to anaesthesia and termination.ResultsThe group who received local anaesthetic demonstrated higher baseline cortisol levels (mean = 4.7 vs 0.2), more dissociative symptoms immediately post-termination (mean = 14.7 vs 7.3), and higher levels of pain before (mean = 4.9 vs 3.0) and during the procedure (mean = 8.0 vs 4.4). However, in the longer-term (1 and 3 months), there were no significant differences in pain, psychological outcomes (PTSD, depression, self-esteem, state anxiety), or disability between the groups. More than 65% of the variance in PTSD symptoms at 3 months could be explained by baseline PTSD symptom severity and disability, and post-termination dissociative symptoms. Of interest was the finding that pre-procedural cortisol levels were positively correlated with PTSD symptoms at both 1 and 3 months.ConclusionHigh rates of PTSD characterise women who have undergone surgical abortions (almost one fifth of the sample meet criteria for PTSD), with women who receive local anaesthetic experiencing more severe acute reactions. The choice of anesthetic, however, does not appear to impact on longer-term psychiatric outcomes or functional status.

Risk factors for suicidality in Europe: Results from the ESEMED study

Background Precise knowledge of the epidemiology of suicidality provides necessary information for designing prevention programs. The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideas and attempts in the general population of Europe. Methods The European Study on the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMED) is a cross-sectional household survey carried out in a probability representative sample of non-institutionalised adults (aged 18 years or older) of six European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0) was administered to 21,425 individuals. Results Lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation was 7.8% and of suicidal attempts 1.3%. Being women, younger and divorced or widowed were associated with a higher prevalence of suicide ideation and attempts. Psychiatric diagnoses were strongly related to suicidality. Among them, major depressive episode (Rate ratio 2.9 for lifetime ideas and 4.8 for lifetime attempts), dysthymia (RR 2.0 and 1.6), GAD (RR 1.8 and 2.3 for lifetime), PTSD (RR 1.9 and 2.0) and alcohol dependence (RR 1.7 and 2.5) were the most important. Population attributable risks for lifetime suicidal attempt was 28% for major depression. Limitations Information about suicidal ideas and attempts was self reported, psychiatric diagnoses were made using fully structured lay interviews rather than clinician-administered interviews. Conclusions In spite of meaningful country variation in prevalence, risk factors for suicidality are consistent in the European countries. Population prevention programmes should focus on early diagnosis and treatment of major depression and alcohol abuse and in those individuals with recent appearance of suicidal ideas.

Current Measures of PTSD for Children and Adolescents

To review measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PSS) for children and adolescents. We reviewed broad-based child mental health journals within the disciplines of pediatrics, child psychology, and trauma, from 1995 to 2004, to identify measures of PTSD and PSS for children and adolescents. The review includes a summary of the psychometric properties and associated features of the measures and the clinical domains and types of studies using each measure. Seven measures of PTSD and PSS were identified, including clinician-administered interviews and self-report questionnaires. Sixty-five articles containing the measures were categorized into eight trauma domains. We found there is little consensus over measures used within each trauma domain. Few measures of PTSD and PSS have been designed specifically for young people. Further directions for measurement of PTSD in this age group are discussed to prevent under-diagnosis and under-treatment for youth.

Development and validation of a brief instrument for routine outcome monitoring in opioid maintenance pharmacotherapy services: The brief treatment outcome measure (BTOM)

Aim: To develop a brief, multi-dimensional instrument for routine, on-going treatment outcome monitoring in alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in Australia and examine the underlying psychometric properties. This study focuses on opioid maintenance pharmacotherapy (OMP) services. Design: Researcher-administered test–retest interviews and clinician administered interviews. Setting: The test–retest interviews took place in two private and two public OMP clinics in Sydney, Australia. The clinician-administered interviews took place in 37 metropolitan, rural and prison OMP services in New South Wales, Australia. Participants: One hundred and sixty current OMP clients for the test–retest interviews and 2004 clients commencing OMP treatment for the clinician-administered interviews. Measures: Thirty-two items across the domains of dependence, blood-borne virus exposure risk, drug use, health/psychological functioning and social functioning. Findings: The internal reliability of the brief treatment outcome measure (BTOM) is satisfactory. Retest reliabilities for the scales and drug use scores are good to excellent indicating their consistency with multiple measurements across time and different interviewers and concurrent validation of BTOM scales with analogous scales from similar instruments yielded acceptable agreement. Average completion times of the BTOM were 14.5 min, when administered in a research context and 21 min in a clinical context. Conclusions: A brief, valid and reliable questionnaire has been developed for monitoring treatment outcome over the range of OMP services. The BTOM contains a core set of outcome measures, which can be easily adapted for integration into routine clinical practice across the range of AOD services.