C. Perris et al., Assessment of dysfunctional working models of self and others in schizophrenic patients: a summary of data collected in nine nations, ACT PSYC SC, 102(5), 2000, pp. 336-341
Objective: To investigate the cross-cultural feasibility of a new scale for
assessing dysfunctional working models of self and others, and to evaluate
its discriminative power.
Method: Schizophrenic patients (N = 351), non-psychotic patients (N = 86) a
nd non-clinical subjects (N = 511) collected in 10 centres completed the DW
M-S. Current psychopathology was assessed by means of the BPRS.
Results: Alpha coefficients were high in all samples. Mean scores on the DW
M-S appeared to be comparable in all countries, suggesting cross-national g
eneralizability. No significant correlation was found with sex, age, levels
of psychopathology and duration of illness. Discriminant analyses showed t
hat more than 70% of the schizophrenic patients are correctly classified.
Conclusion: The DWM-S is an easily administered self-report instrument whic
h allows to pinpoint internal dysfunctional working models of self and othe
rs in various types of patients. It is a useful tool for case Conceptualiza
tion, especially when psychotherapeutic interventions are part of the treat
ment programme.