ERIC Number: EJ835374
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Sep
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2322
EISSN: N/A
Inter-Rater Reliability of the Diagnoses of Psychosis and Depression in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Einfeld, S.; Tonge, B.; Chapman, L.; Mohr, C.; Taffe, J.; Horstead, S.
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v20 n5 p384-390 Sep 2007
Background: There is a history of over-prescription of antipsychotics to individuals with intellectual disability (ID), while antidepressants may be under-prescribed. However, appropriate treatment is best supported when the diagnosis of psychosis or depression is valid and carries good predictive validity. The present authors report a study examining one aspect of validity, namely whether skilled clinicians can agree on whether an individual with an ID is psychotic or depressed. Materials and Methods: Pairs of clinicians assessed 52 individuals. Agreement was assessed using Cohen's kappa statistic and agreement proportion. Results: Overall agreement was high for both psychosis and depression. Whether the individual had mild ID or moderate/severe ID did not have a significant impact on agreement. Conclusions: Experienced clinicians achieved a high level of agreement as to whether a person with ID was psychotic or depressed similar to that found for those without ID. The findings provide some support for treatment interventions based on diagnosis.
Descriptors: Mental Retardation, Psychosis, Predictive Validity, Interrater Reliability, Identification, Depression (Psychology), Drug Therapy, Clinical Diagnosis, Physicians, Psychiatry
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A