Interview in Behavioural and Health Settings

Introduction

The concept interview within a psychological assessment context is employed with two different meanings: as an information tool and, in a broader sense, as the professional interaction between client and psychologist. In this study, we will employ the concept to talk about the procedure to gather [Page 488]information both in clinical and health contexts. In both cases, the interview is the most used tool when a verbal interaction takes place between a professional and a client (or clients). The interview has a main goal: to obtain the maximum information possible in order to develop a functional analysis. This analysis will provide the basis to understand and to modify the problem when necessary. On the other hand, the interview, in addition to the use of questionnaires, is the only procedure available currently to obtain information on a client's cognitive responses, verbal-cognitive in this case (thoughts, attributions, belief system, etc.). Furthermore, it constitutes an economical tool to assess psycho-physiological responses (throbbing, muscular tension, etc.). Also, the interview is cheaper than the use of psycho-physiological devices, even though it is an indirect method (assessing the subjective perception that the client has).

In spite of its usefulness and popularity, only a few studies have analysed its reliability and validity. However, these studies obtained discouraging results (Hay, Angle & Nelson, 1979; Felton & Nelson, 1984).

Definition

A clinical interview can be defined as the procedure followed by a professional (psychologist-interviewer) in a conversation with one person or more (clients) with the goal of getting desired information. Accordingly, it can be stressed that the basic interview characteristics within an assessment procedure are the following:

• An interaction between two or more people.
• A two-way route verbal communication.
• Some goals previously established by the interviewer who controls the procedure and withdraws the information from the interviewee.

In sum, the main goal of the interview as an assessment tool is to obtain information in order to build the behaviour-problem's functional analysis. In order to reach this goal, there should be followed several steps (Table 1). First, the problem description should be pursued in the most objective way available (behavioural, cognitive and psycho-physiologic responses). Secondly, the quantitative parameters that define the problem [Page 489]should be specified and, thereinafter, delimitated antecedent and consequent elements in order to establish the behaviour functionality (antecedent stimuli, conditioned and/or discriminative and consequent stimuli and reinforcements). Once the fundamental aspects of the problem are assessed for current incidents, the history and the evolution of the problem should be inquired, as well as its impact in the client's life.

The interview should be displayed in a directing but flexible way. It should have an initial-facilitating phase (exploratory); an intermediate phase for clarification and specification; and a final phase focused on solving doubts and assuring congruency on the obtained data with the client. It is important to take into account that the interview is essentially an active interaction process between two or more people. Regardless of the goal of gathering information, the interview itself may also have therapeutic effects on the client. Therefore, it is critical to assure that the communication process is effective as a critical aspect to develop positive boundaries with clients. That is to say, when the treatment includes behavioural aspects, it is essential that the client is ready to accomplish the prescribed assignments to solve the problem. Therefore, a good communication and comprehension between professional and client should be maximized. Professional skills such as the ability of providing information, offering confidence, showing comprehension, operating management and, in sum, displaying basic technical and social abilities (therapeutic skills) are critical in order to develop an interview within a clinical or health assessment.

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