Study Questions Chapter 3: The Interview

What are the two main objectives of a diagnostic interview?

1. Gather information about complaints, history, context, and functioning.

2. Build a working relationship to increase cooperation and reliability of information.

How do intake interviewers differ between BGGZ (simple problems) and SGGZ (complex problems)?

• BGGZ: Focus on specific complaints, short history, quick classification, brief treatment planning.

• SGGZ: Focus on complex, long-standing problems, comorbidity, deeper exploration of underlying factors, broader assessment.

What are the environmental requirements for a diagnostic interview?

A quiet, private, neutral, well-lit room with no interruptions, safe atmosphere, and seating that induces hierarchy.

Which knowledge, attitude, and interview techniques are required by an interviewer?

• Knowledge: Psychopathology, development, tests, treatments;

• Attitude: Emphatic, non-judgementl, open, respectful;

• Techniques: Open/closed questions, summarising, probing, clarifying, active listening.

What are the four purposes of an intake interview in an ambulant setting (a setting that does not require an overnight hospital stay)?

To establish:

1. the client’s request for help;

2. whether the organisation is capable of adequately meeting this request for help; and if so,

3. what type of treatment is deemed appropriate; or if the organisation is not capable of meeting this request for help,

4. the details of the organisation to which the client should preferably turn.

How do adult life stages affect the content of an interview?

Each life stage has typical developmental tasks (e.g., work, relationships, aging) that influence complaints and must be explored differently.

Why is it useful for clients to fill out questionnaires prior to the intake interview?

It saves time, increases structure, screens broad problem areas, and provides information for focused interviewing.

What is client variance?

Clients give different information to different interviewers.

What is criterion variance?

Errors or omissions in diagnostic systems.

What is information variance?

Interviewers;

• ask different questions;

• observe different things;

• manner of observation is different;

• organise the obtained information different.

How do client variance, criterion variance, and information variance affect interrater reliability?

All three reduce interrater reliability.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of structured interviews?

Advantages:

• Higher reliability

• Fairer estimation of the seriousness of the complaints

• Reduction in both information and criterion variance

• greater comprehensiveness (not just first impressions)

Disadvantages:

• Time consuming

• Retraining of interviewers

• Too routinely (sometimes)

What are the measurement aims of the SCID, MINI, SCAN, and HoNOS?

• SCID: Semi-structured clinical interview for a mental disorder DSM diagnosis;

• MINI: Short, structured DSM interview for screening;

• SCAN: Detailed assessment of psychiatric symptoms (ICD-based); not intended to classify clinical disorders according to DSM.

• HoNOS: Measures severity of mental health and social problems.

What are the three phases of the intake interview?

1. Opening: Build rapport, clarify request, structure;

2. Middle: Explore complaints, history, context, functioning;

3. Closing: Summarise, check accuracy, discuss next steps.

What are interviewer, client, and interaction obstactles, and how can positive labelling and motivational interviewing help?

• Interviewer obstacles: Bias, poor skills, leading questions;

  • (a leading question is a question that suggests or leads the respondent toward a specific answer, often by including an assumption or biased language.)

• Client obstacles: Shame, resistance, poor insight;

• Interaction obstacles: Miscommunication, tension, misunderstanding;

Positive labelling: Reinforces strengths → increased trust.

Motivational interviewing: Reduces resistance, increases engagement.

What are the aims of the crisis intervention interview, consultation, and bad news interview?

• Crisis intervention: Ensure safety, reduce acute distress;

• Consultation: Provide expert advice to another professional;

• Bad news: Deliver difficult information clearly and supportively.

Which three sources should be distinguished in the reporting of interviews?

1. Client statements (what the client says);

2. Interviewer obervations (behaviour, affect, nonverbal cues);

3. Facts that have been established objectively.