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Test Evaluation
Landyn Beal
School of Behavioral Sciences Liberty University
PSYC: 421 Psychological Measurement
Dr. Lewis
February 28, 2021
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Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Evaluation
The purpose of this test it to provide evaluation and possible diagnosis for clients with
psychological disorders. This can be done for any patients who may be suffering from psychotic
symptoms. The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) was developed by Mark
Zimmerman in 2002. PDSQ was initially developed to offer insight into psychological disorders
within the DSM-IV.
It is a survey style test based on self-report questions. These questions will ask the patients to
respond “yes” or “no” to a variety of questions to allow the professional to properly evaluate the
patient (Zimmerman, 2002). The style of the test mirrors several other personality tests in its
form of administration. The PDSQ contains 125 questions resulting in approximately a 15–20-
minute test time however, the test is not timed nor is there a time limit placed on test takers. The
scores received by patients are in a collective category showing the patient to have 0-13 of the
possible disorders. This information is taken in by the professional to show a range of 45 DSM-
IV disorders that the patient may qualify for. Finally, the patients receive a final score showing
the severity of their possible diagnosis with eh exact DSM-IV diagnosis. This test can only be
properly done with a professional present to interpret the results on offer insight into proper
diagnosis as multiple results can be possible.
The PDSQ is only used for patients 18 and older for a variety of reasons. The main reason
being the prevalence of a self-report requiring a fair amount of self-understanding which younger
clients may not be able to provide (Reilly, 2014). Zimmerman has used this test on samples as
large as 3000 to operationalize the normative sample and standard for this test. The typical
demographic for his study was both impatient and outpatient clients but mostly Caucasian
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women (Zimmerman, 2002). Although his demographic was slightly skewed it was to be
considered that the test contained general applicability (Reilly, 2014).
The explanation for reliability for this test is not entirely clear. Zimmerman found that clients
who had already been diagnosed with psychiatric disorders typically scores higher than those
who had not previously received a professional diagnosis (Zimmerman, 2002). This alone can
show internal validity. There appears to be no other statistical evidence to support the reliability
or validity for this test. I would suggest follow up tests to be conducted after each patient
receives continued help for their possible diagnosis and use the information later provided
another professional to confirm or deny the quality of the initial assessment. It also should be
noted that this test has received no update in almost 20 years which puts serious question upon
its availability of use now.
Justification for Selection of Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire
I chose to evaluate this test for 3 main reasons. I wanted to look into the value of a self-
response test, I see this test applying to my future and I wanted to see if further research
stemmed from this study.
My nature I am skeptical of any test that heavily relies on self-response questionnaires. After
study into the human mind and self-understanding I have found very few people to understand
themselves well enough to offer conclusive answers on a self-response test. As personality
changes and self-reflection gradually happens, I think the view of self also changes. Therefore, I
wanted to look into this test because I doubted it's value. After evaluation I still find it to be
faulty and lacking in multiple areas to be consider a quality test
I am likely to pursue my education into the world of psychiatric medicine and found this
area of testing to be directly applicable into my desired discipline. I am fascinated into
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psychiatric disorder and their resulting treatments. I doubt that I will find this test of use, but I
value the study, nonetheless. I have this desire because I want to use my gifts to help others as it
says in Romans 12:3-8.
Finally, I wanted to see if tests similar to the PDSQ has stemmed from the example set by
Zimmerman. I did not find any direct theories that came from his test, but I still think it is
entirely possible that his questionnaire style has added to the world of research.
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References
Reilly, S. (2014). The review of the psychiatric diagnostic screening questionnaire. In R. A. Spies
& B. S. Plake (Eds.), The sixteenth mental measurements yearbook. Retrieved from the
Buros Institute's Mental Measurements Yearbook online database.
Zimmerman, M. (2002). The review of the psychiatric diagnostic screening questionnaire.
Kavan, M. In R. A. Spies & B. S. Plake (Eds.), The sixteenth mental measurements
yearbook. Retrieved from the Buros Institute's Mental Measurements Yearbook online
database.
