Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-11-2015
Publication Title
Social Psychological and Personality Science
Abstract
Across countries, common mental disorders are often more prevalent and/or more persistent among disadvantaged members (e.g., ethnic minorities) compared with advantaged group members. Although these disparities constitute a heavy challenge to national health organizations, there is little empirical evidence to help account for the mechanism underlying them. In this study, conducted in clinics across Israel, we investigated processes, rooted in the clinical encounter that may contribute to mental health disparities. We focused on the accuracy of diagnostic decisions, which are likely to substantially impact the client’s prognosis. Therapists’ diagnostic decisions following the initial intake with their client were compared with independent structured diagnostic interview of the client. Results revealed that therapists were twice as likely to misdiagnose mental illness when their client was a member of a disadvantaged (relative to advantaged) group. Implications for the quality of mental health services that members of disadvantaged groups receive are discussed.
Keywords
Israel, mental health disparities, mental health intake, misdiagnosis, social identities, working alliance
Volume
6
Issue
6
First Page
710
Last Page
717
DOI
10.1177/1948550615576003
ISSN
19485506
Rights
© The Author(s) 2015
Recommended Citation
Nakash, Ora and Saguy, Tamar, "Social Identities of Clients and Therapists During the Mental Health Intake Predict Diagnostic Accuracy" (2015). School for Social Work: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/ssw_facpubs/47
Comments
Archived as published. Open access article.