Understanding the ecological validity of neuropsychological testing using an ethnographic approach.
Neurocognitive impairment is a defining and disabling feature of schizophrenia and other physical disorders. Most of our understanding about neurocognitive deficits comes from laboratory-based testing in research protocols. There has been little research using direct behavioral community observation over a prolonged period to understand the association of daily functioning with cognitive performance.The purpose of this study was to develop an observational method that could be replicated by researchers interested in viewing cognitive deficits in vivo, and then comparing this data to laboratory measures to affirm the ecological validity of those measures.The eight-step method explained here was developed from the targeted ethnographic study of 10 persons with schizophrenia. Obtaining real world context with this method will help to increase the generalizability of effective cognitive treatments, create improved interventions for this population, and bring into greater relief the coping and compensatory strategies already used by individuals to complete daily tasks.
Gioia
Deborah
D
University of Maryland, School of Social Work, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. dgioia@ssw.umaryland.edu
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior