title: Distress reduction during the structured clinical interview for DSM-III-R.
abstract: In an attempt to assess the influence of standardized diagnostic interviews on psychological distress in research volunteers, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to measure anxiety and depression during the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, Non-patient version (SCID). Subjects were 50 adults with concerns related to the human immunodeficiency virus who were seeking testing and treatment in research trials. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant decreases in distress by the end of the interview: 72% of subjects reported diminished anxiety, and 54% reported diminished depression. Thus, the SCID appeared to provide a positive interview experience, a finding that may serve to reassure subjects, their families, and review boards regarding participation in studies that employ structured interviews.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Cornell University Medical Center, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Scarvalone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cloitre
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Spielman
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jacobsberg
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013315:Stress, Psychological