Evaluation of the Computerized Assessment System for Psychotherapy Evaluation and Research (CASPER) interview with a psychiatric inpatient population

Abstract

The Computerized Assessment System for Psychotherapy Evaluation and Research (CASPER; Farrell & McCullough-Vaillant, 1996) includes a computer-based interview designed to assess functioning across a broad range of areas. The psychometric properties of scales derived from this interview were examined in a sample of 191 patients from the admissions wards of a state psychiatric hospital. Few participants had difficulty completing the computerized interview, and most rated their reactions to it positively. Item analyses and confirmatory factor analysis largely replicated the structure reported in a previous study of outpatients. Support was found for scales representing Physical Complaints, Worry, Hopelessness, Assertiveness, Hostility/Anger, Thought Problems, Psychotic Symptoms, Substance Use, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior. Comparison of scales from the CASPER and the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale-32 (BASIS-32; Eisen & Culhane, 1999) supported the convergent and discriminant validity of several scales. Support also was found for the CASPER Global Functioning scale. Overall, results supported the use of the CASPER as a valuable tool for assessing inpatient functioning.

Evaluation of the Computerized Assessment System for Psychotherapy Evaluation and Research (CASPER) as a Measure of Treatment Effectiveness With Psychiatric Inpatients

“…Scales derived from CAS-PER all showed significant changes from baseline to outcome. CASPER demonstrated adequate concurrent validity with the BASIS-32 at baseline, which is consistent with previous research conducted in an inpatient setting (Strong & Farrell, 2003). Residual change scores based on baseline and outcome ratings on the CASPER scales also were significantly correlated with a corresponding score on the BASIS-32.…”

“…At a more global level, moderate correlations were found between the number and severity of target problems identified by CASPER at intake and global functioning scales on the other measures. Two other studies supported the construct validity of the CASPER intake interview with psychiatric outpatients (St. Martin, 2003) and inpatients (Strong, 2002). In both studies, target problem indices derived from the CASPER intake interview (e.g., number of target problems, average severity of target problems) were significantly correlated with concurrent data on the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale total score (BASIS-32; Eisen & Culhane, 1999; rs = .40 to .75; rs = .36 to .63, respectively).…”

“…In both studies, target problem indices derived from the CASPER intake interview (e.g., number of target problems, average severity of target problems) were significantly correlated with concurrent data on the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale total score (BASIS-32; Eisen & Culhane, 1999; rs = .40 to .75; rs = .36 to .63, respectively). A related study in which inpatients completed CASPER near admission also demonstrated that patients were generally able to complete the computerized interview, felt that the questions on CASPER were pertinent to their problems, and most preferred answering questions on a computer rather than to a person or on a paper-andpencil questionnaire (Strong & Farrell, 2003).…”

Computer-administered interviews and rating scales.

“…Target behaviors are identified and rated for severity, duration, and priority for treatment. More studies have been conducted on the CASPER than on any other computer system that can perform intake evaluations (e.g., Farrell, 1999aFarrell, , 1999bStrong & Farrell, 2003). Findings on content validity, convergent validity, internal consistency, and factor structure make this an attractive measurement device.…”