Initial Interview in Psychodiagnosis
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ScribdTranslationsInitial Interview in Psychodiagnosis
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ScribdTranslationsINITIALINTERVIEW
The initial interview helps the interviewing psychologist to identify and clarify the request.
understand the problems and feelings of the plaintiff, develop the relevant hypothesis
about the consultation; in order to confirm them in successive sessions or with other techniques.
to propose conflict resolution or health promotion strategies; that is
therapeutic change alternatives in any dimension of personal, work and
social.
Among the most well-known definitions of an interview are those of Sullivan and Pope in the
The following aspects are collected: A conversation and/or interpersonal relationship between
two or more people, with certain objectives, in which someone asks for help and another
it offers, which configures an explicit difference in roles among the participants. These roles
they mark an asymmetric relationship, since one is the expert, the professional, and the other is the one who
needs your help.
Bassols and Kvale point out that one of the characteristics of this technique is that it is about
a interpersonal relationship that involves mutual influence among the individuals involved, and
The more significant that relationship is, the more intense the effect it has on the interlocutor.
It is a bidirectional influence also known as immediate feedback, and it leads to
that controlling the variables of the interview is very difficult. This interpersonal relationship
works like a Gestalt.
The interview is characterized by being a technique prior to diagnosis and even prior to
any modality of intervention, essential in the evaluation process by the
amount of information and personal knowledge that the subject contributes in a brief space of
time. It develops through a conversation with a purpose, as it focuses on the
the subject's demand, in the explanation of their problem. The information provided by the subject
plantea desde su punto de vista cuál es la elaboración personal de los acontecimientos por los
what a query.
The initial interview aims to establish an interpersonal relationship that allows for flow.
from the person's experience, not only to provide information that facilitates obtaining
a diagnosis, but also to be useful for the person or user to start, from that
moment to resolve the conflict that leads him to seek within the psychological evaluation.
The first interview or the initial interview in a psychodiagnostic process is characterized by
Semi-directed. This means that it will be guided by certain pre-established questions by the
professional but also some issues that arise at the moment will be investigated with
the interviewee and that may be significant or of interest to investigate at the moment or to
posteriori.
Objectives of the Initial Interview.
Guide the interview towards the established objective.
Establish a good rapport (atmosphere of trust).
Percibir al paciente tal y como es, atendiendo a sus conductas verbales y no verbales y
record the degree of coherence between both.
Contain the anguish and anxiety of the interviewee. Listen.
Obtain information that is as accurate and valid as possible about the problem.
Stimulate the patient's verbal expression.
Capture what the patient is requesting through their problems.
Achieve an understanding of the problem, gain insight into the client's issue.
To know the attempts at solution that have been implemented so far and the
results obtained from them.
Establish diagnostic hypotheses in the terms that each professional understands in
función de su marco teórico.
Plan the psychological evaluation process.
Organize a conceptual map about the problems that have been consulted.
After the interview is over, it is advisable for the professional to take some time to reflect and
elaborate a graphical representation or conceptual map that structures the case and provides a
explanation and understanding of it.
The objectives of the initial interview vary according to the demands of the process.
evaluation, including aspects such as time limitation and establishment by the
interviewer of what type of data seem clinically necessary to obtain a
proper patient positioning.
Basic questions to inquire in the Initial Interview:
PERSONAL DATA: full name, place and date of birth, place of
current residence.
STUDIES: achieved educational level.
OCCUPATION: description.
CURRENT NUCLEAR FAMILY: composition, description and the relationship it establishes.
NUCLEAR FAMILY OF ORIGIN: composition, description, and relationship it establishes.
DATA ABOUT CHILDHOOD: passage of stages.
TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS: significant events.
CURRENT PARTNER: whether you have one or not and what type of bond is established.
FRIENDSHIPS: description and relationship established.
TIEMPO LIBRE: descripción, que tiempo les dedica,
SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS, DISEASES: hereditary background, in
at what moment of the evolutionary cycle did diagnosis, prognosis, severity occur,
duration and sequelae if any.
Types of Interview.
For the Degree of Structuring
STRUCTURED: the interviewer follows a pre-established script and generally
standardized when formulating the questions.
Within this, there are two important modalities: the mechanized interview, in which the
the patient sits in front of a computer to answer the questions, and the guided questionnaire
by the interviewer, where the patient responds to the examiner's questioning or
answer for himself, being able to ask the examiner any doubts.
SEMISTRUCTURED: the interviewer has a prior script with a certain degree of freedom
to propose questions at the moment during the interview.
FREE: the interviewer allows the interviewee to speak based on their own needs,
formulating open-ended questions, of broad spectrum.
For the Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC INTERVIEW: interviews aimed at establishing a subsequent diagnosis
About a patient facing a problem that is being consulted. It is usually followed by
other evaluation instruments that allow for contrasting the information gathered in the interview.
CONSULTATIVE INTERVIEW: the primary objective is to respond to a question in relation
on a specific topic. It usually has a focal objective, with a very concrete purpose, in which
The interviewed person or persons will not proceed with subsequent clinical work.
VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE INTERVIEW: consists of guiding which studies to choose and/or
What professional field is most suitable for an individual considering their abilities and interests?
values... not to underestimate the social context in which the subject is situated.
THERAPEUTIC AND COUNSELING INTERVIEWS: aim to operate a change in a
address agreed upon by both, interviewer and interviewee.
RESEARCH INTERVIEW: aims to determine based on criteria
previously defined the affiliation or not of a subject to the research itself. Also
to know, to verify, to confirm and to open new ways of understanding problems
psychological in a broad sense.
Based on Temporality and Process.
INITIAL INTERVIEW: It is the one that opens the relational process and identifies the object and
objectives of the meeting framing a type of interaction between the interviewee and
interviewer.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION INTERVIEWS: those conducted to gather knowledge
more data or more complete information about the subject being worked with. In this category
interviews are conducted with the subject's family members, with external professionals...
INTERVIEW ABOUT THE SUBJECT'S BIOGRAPHY OR ANAMNESIS: milestones are reviewed
evolutivos más significativos del proceso de maduración, se comprueba cómo ha ido el
early development, progressive autonomy and independence... Generally, a sequence is followed
ordered scheme by development areas and organized chronologically. In evaluation
infanto-juvenil es imprescindible para el diagnóstico.
FEEDBACK INTERVIEW: in it the psychologist provides detailed information about the
diagnosis, the prognosis and the therapeutic strategies that are proposed. It requires a
specific training.
CLINICAL HIGH INTERVIEW: the objective is to physically and administratively dismiss the
patient and close the case.
Bibliography:
Sullivan, H. (1982). La entrevista psiquiátrica. Buenos Aires: Psique.
Tizón, J.L. (1988). Apuntes para una psicología basada en la relación. (2ª ed.). Barcelona:
Home of the Book.
Common questions
Powered by AIUnderstanding verbal and non-verbal behaviors during an initial interview is critical because it allows the psychologist to perceive the patient as they truly are. Such observations help in assessing the coherence between what is being said (verbal) and what is being expressed through body language (non-verbal). This can provide insights into the patient's true feelings and attitudes, which may be important for accurate diagnosis and effective therapeutic intervention. Accurately capturing these behaviors can assist in establishing a rapport, easing the interviewee's anxiety, and facilitating a deeper understanding of the problem .
The main objectives of the initial interview in the psychodiagnostic process include guiding the interview towards an established objective, establishing a good rapport or atmosphere of trust, perceiving the patient as they are by attending to their verbal and non-verbal behaviors, and recording the degree of coherence between the two. Additionally, it aims to contain the interviewee's distress and anxiety, listen effectively, obtain accurate and valid information about the problem, stimulate the patient's verbal expression, and understand what the patient is requesting through their problems. Furthermore, the interview seeks to establish diagnostic hypotheses, plan the psychological evaluation process, and organize a conceptual map of the consulted problems .
A semi-structured interview offers the benefit of flexibility, allowing the interviewer to explore topics in depth while following a pre-established script. This adaptability can lead to uncovering nuanced information specific to the interviewee's context and spontaneous insights that may not emerge in a more rigid setting. However, challenges include the need for the interviewer to possess considerable skill to balance guidance with flexibility, ensuring the conversation remains on track with the interview objectives. Additionally, the semi-structured format requires the interviewer to be adept at quickly formulating relevant questions in response to the interviewee’s inputs, which can be demanding .
Establishing a conceptual map after an initial interview is significant because it helps structure the gathered information into a coherent framework. This mapping aids in organizing the details of the case, facilitating a clearer understanding of the client's issues and the interconnections between different problems. By visually representing the relationships and themes identified during the interview, the psychologist can more easily identify diagnostic hypotheses and plan subsequent interventions. Such a map assists in the comprehensive evaluation process, ensuring that all relevant aspects of the client's situation are considered and appropriately addressed .
Personal relationships impact the efficacy of an initial interview by influencing the degree of trust and openness in the interaction. According to the interpersonal relationship model, the rapport established between the interviewer and interviewee can enhance or hinder the quality of information shared. A strong rapport creates a conducive environment for open communication, potentially leading to more accurate and detailed disclosures. Conversely, if the interpersonal relationship is strained, the interviewee may withhold information or provide inaccurate responses. This dynamic suggests that the strength and quality of the personal relationship are critical to the success of the initial interview .
Failing to reflect and organize information following an initial psychological interview can lead to several adverse consequences. Without careful reflection, crucial insights from the interview may be overlooked or misinterpreted, leading to inaccuracies in diagnosis and ineffective treatment plans. Disorganized information hinders the psychologist's ability to understand the case comprehensively, potentially reducing the effectiveness of subsequent interventions. This oversight can result in a fragmented evaluation process, where relevant issues are not adequately addressed, thereby adversely impacting the client's therapeutic outcomes and satisfaction with the psychological services .
Structured and free interviews differ significantly in their application within clinical psychology. Structured interviews use a pre-established, standardized script, ideal for ensuring consistency in data collection and easy comparison across different cases. This approach is often employed in diagnostic contexts to gather specific, comparable data efficiently. In contrast, free interviews allow the interviewee to guide the conversation, providing rich qualitative data and insights into the client's perspective on their needs and issues. While structured interviews offer reliability and efficiency, free interviews provide depth and personalization, making them appropriate for exploring unique client experiences and facilitating therapeutic rapport .
Controlling variables during an interview can be challenging due to the concept of bidirectional influence, as both the interviewer and the interviewee mutually influence each other. This ongoing exchange makes it difficult to predict or control the direction in which the conversation flows because each participant's responses and reactions can alter the interview's trajectory. The interviewer must remain adaptable, responding to unfolding information while guiding the interview toward its objectives. Maintaining focus while being responsive to the interviewee’s emotional and verbal cues is pivotal, yet complicated by the need to manage this dynamic relationship .
The role asymmetry between interviewer and interviewee significantly impacts the dynamics of the initial interview by creating an explicit difference in roles, where one is the expert and the other seeks help. This asymmetry can influence how information is exchanged, as the interviewee may feel more vulnerable, leading to either openness or defensiveness. The expert role of the interviewer places them in a position of authority, potentially affecting the interviewee's willingness to share sensitive information. Additionally, this dynamic can determine the level of mutual influence, with the interviewer needing to maintain a balance that allows the interviewee to feel safe yet guided effectively toward revealing necessary information .
A psychologist can use feedback interviews to improve therapeutic strategies by providing detailed information about the diagnosis and prognosis to the client. Through this form of communication, the psychologist can assess the client's understanding and perception of their condition, thus tailoring therapeutic approaches that are not only effective but also acceptable to the client. The feedback process encourages an exchange, where client input can inform the psychologist about potential adjustments needed in the therapeutic approach. Additionally, it empowers clients by involving them in their treatment plans, potentially increasing adherence and motivation .