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Do mental health surveys disturb?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

A. S. Henderson  and
A. F. Jorm
A. S. Henderson*
Affiliation:
NH & MRC Social Psychiatry Research Unit, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
A. F. Jorm
Affiliation:
NH & MRC Social Psychiatry Research Unit, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
*
1Address for correspondence: Professor A. S. Henderson, NH & MRC Social Psychiatry Research Unit, The Australian National University, Camberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
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Synopsis

We have tested the assumption that mental health surveys do not cause distress. At the end of a two-wave community survey of psychiatric symptoms and personality factors, respondents were asked specific questions about how the interviews affected them. Being interviewed was distressing for some individuals, but it was seen as beneficial by a larger number. Those reporting distress were more likely to have had neurotic symptoms prior to both interviews and to have personality characteristics which would indicate proneness to distress. Whether the distress lasted beyond the interview situation is unknown. These results suggest that surveys of mental health should tell intended respondents about the possible effects of the interview, both positive and negative. Some studies should try to estimate the duration of any distress reported to have been induced.

Type
Brief Communication
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 20 , Issue 3 , August 1990 , pp. 721 - 724
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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