THE YALE-BROWN OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE SCALE - INTERVIEW VERSUS SELF-REPORT

Several studies have demonstrated the reliability and validity of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) conducted by trained int erviewers. The present study examined several aspects of a self-report YBOCS version relative to the usual interview format in two non-clini cal samples (ns = 46 and 70) and in a clinical OCD sample (n = 36) and a clinical non-OCD group (n = 10). The self-rated instrument showed e xcellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability, performing somewhat better than the interview. There was good agreement between s ymptom checklist categories across the two versions, though clinical s ubjects reported more symptoms on the self-report form than on the int erview. Some order effects were evident for non-clinical subjects only : those who received the self-report first scored lower on both self-r eport and interview than those who received the interview first. No or der effects were observed in the clinical sample. The self-report vers ion showed strong convergent validity with the interview, and discrimi nated well between OCD acid non-OCD patients. Although more study is n eeded, particularly on clinical samples, these findings suggest that t he self-report YBOCS may be a time-saving and less costly substitute f or the interview format in assessing OCD symptoms. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd