COMPARABILITY OF TELEPHONE AND FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEWS IN ASSESSING AXIS-I AND AXIS-II DISORDERS

Objective: The present study examined the comparability of data obtain ed by telephone and face-to-face interviews for diagnosing axis I and II disorders. Method: Sixty young adults from the community were inter viewed face-to-face and over the telephone regarding axis I disorders; another GO subjects were interviewed twice regarding axis II disorder s. The order of interviews was counterbalanced, and subjects with a hi story of disorder were oversampled. Agreement between telephone and fa ce-to-face interviews was contrasted with interrater values, which wer e obtained by having a second interviewer rate a recording of the orig inal interview. Results: Interrater reliability was excellent. Agreeme nt between telephone and face-to-face assessment was excellent for anx iety disorders and very good for major depressive disorder and alcohol and substance use disorders; agreement was problematic, however, for adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Strong support was shown for the validity of the axis II telephone assessment format. Small but con sistent trends were noted for lower rates of psychopathology reported in the second interview. Conclusions: This is the first study in which telephone and face-to-lace assessments of axis I and II psychopatholo gy were conducted with the same subjects assigned to conditions in a c ounterbalanced manner. The present findings provide qualified justific ation for the use of telephone interviews to collect axis I and II dat a. The apparent concerns do Mot appear sufficient to override the econ omic and logistic advantages of telephone intel viewing.