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Psychometric assessment of psychiatric disorders in people with learning difficulties (mental handicap): a review of measures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

P. Sturmey ,
J. Reed  and
J. Corbett
P. Sturmey*
Affiliation:
Learning Difficulties Research Group, School of Psychology; and School of Psychiatry, University of Birmingham
J. Reed
Affiliation:
Learning Difficulties Research Group, School of Psychology; and School of Psychiatry, University of Birmingham
J. Corbett
Affiliation:
Learning Difficulties Research Group, School of Psychology; and School of Psychiatry, University of Birmingham
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr P. Sturmey, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, PO Box 363, Birmingham B15 2TT.
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Synopsis

Instruments designed to assess psychiatric disorders in people with learning difficulties (mental handicap) were critically reviewed from a psychometric perspective. Major trends were found in the assessment of psychopathology related to DSM-III and depressive disorders although research in other areas was patchy. Although some psychometrically sophisticated measures were identified the area was characterized by an absence of important psychometric data for many measures. Future research should attend to developing assessments of schizophrenia, psycho-sexual disorders, adjustment disorders and the validation of screening procedures and instrument formats. Future studies should include more people with severe and profound learning difficulties.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , February 1991 , pp. 143 - 155
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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