Teenage Depression > Personal Values > Personal Multi-screening Inventory > Restrictions on Using the PMSI
|
|
|
|
|
Restrictions on Using the PMSIRestrictions on Using the PMSI
It is important to know about some general guidelines and restrictions concerning the use of the PMSI subscales. There are few formal restrictions to be placed on the use of any of the subscales but some must always be taken into account.
The first restriction is that the PMSI should not be used with persons under the age of 14 years. The literacy skills, cognitive development, and ability to integrate affective responses with the item content and meaning of each of the subscales demand a level of maturity not usually found in persons under 14 years of age. A second restriction is that the PMSI should not be used with persons who have severe cognitive impairment (e.g., retardation, senility, active psychosis, brain damage). Severely impaired individuals rarely give valid responses to the PMSI even though such persons may function very well in the world of work and do a good job of maintaining and taking care of themselves. Remember, though, that cognitive impairment or brain damage is often not an "all or none" condition. Persons who are only mildly impaired may be able to complete the PMSI with considerable accuracy. The major things to watch for are the cognitive development and ability to integrate affective responses with the item content and meaning of each of the subscales. You must make a judgment as to whether a mildly or moderately brain impaired client is able to understand and properly complete any of the subscales. A third restriction is that the PMSI should be used with great caution in situations wherein the assessment facilitator is in a position to give or withhold important or valued sanctions and the client's responses to the PMSI can be seen as having any possible influence on the assessment facilitator’s decisions in that regard. Under such circumstances, the validity of the PMSI results must be carefully judged against any and all other evidence concerning the client's situation. |