Clinical Psychology

the SCID-I assesses the presence of theDSM-IV
criteria for Specific Phobia. The questions the inter-
viewer asks appear in the left column, and the
actualDSM-IVcriteria for this disorder appear in
the middle column.
Despite the availability of a wide range of struc-
tured interviews for diagnosis, it appears that few
clinicians use these in everyday practice. For example,
a recent study estimated that clinicians used structured
diagnostic interviews with only about 15% of
their patients (Bruchmüller, Magraf, Suppiger, &
Schneider, 2011). Interestingly, clinicians markedly
underestimated their patients’acceptance of struc-
tured interviews, and this appeared to be at least
partially responsible for the clinicians’reluctance to
use these in routine clinical practice. A previous
study of patients that had undergone structured
interviewing indicated that patients on average were
highly satisfied with the interview, almost all patients
rated their relationship to the interviewer as posi-
tive, and only a small proportion felt“questioned
out” after the procedure (Suppiger, In-Albon,

Hendriksen, Hermann, Magraf, & Schneider,

2009). These studies, therefore, suggest that we as

clinicians should not assume that structured diagnostic

interviews will be viewed as onerous or unhelpful to

our patients and clients. Rather, if used routinely,

these interviews can help us arrive at reliable and

valid diagnoses that can inform treatment and

intervention.

Reliability and Validity of Interviews

As with any form of psychological assessment, it is

important to evaluate the reliability and validity of

interviews. The reliability of an interview is typically

evaluated in terms of the level of agreement between

at least two raters who evaluated the same patient or

client. Agreement refers to consensus on diagnoses

assigned, on ratings of levels of personality traits, or

on any other type of summary information derived

from an interview. This is often referred to as

GO TO

*OBSESSIVE

COMPULSIVE

DISORDER*

IF CURRENT CRITERIA NOT FULLY MET (OR NOT AT ALL):

4 – In Partial Remission: The full criteria for the disorder were previously met but

currently only some of the symptoms or signs of the disorder remain.

5 – In Full Remission: There are no longer any symptoms or signs of the disorder

but it is still clinically relevant to note the disorder—for example, in an individual

with previous episodes of Specific Phobia who has been symptom-free on an

antianxiety agent for the past three years.

6 – Prior History: There is a history of the criteria having been met for the disorder

but the individual is considered to have recovered from it.

When did you last have (ANY SX

OF SPECIFIC PHOBIA)?

F82

F83

F84

Number of months prior to

interview when last had a

symptom of Specific Phobia

AGE AT ONSET

IF UNKNOWN: How old were you
when you first started having
(SXS OF SPECIFIC PHOBIA)?

Age at onset of Specific Phobia

(CODE 99 IF UNKNOWN)

? = inadequate information 1 = absent or false 2 = subthreshold 3 = threshold or true

F I G U R E 6-1 (Continued)

184 CHAPTER 6