Clinical judgement versus self ‐rating of demoralization in outpatients with a substance‐use disorder: A cross‐sectional study

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the ability of case managers, working in ambulatory treatment settings specialized in addiction care, to clinically judge demoralization in substance-dependent patients.Design and MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, clinical judgments of case managers were compared with the patients' scores on the Demoralization Scale, by calculating the sensitivity and specificity scores.FindingsCase managers identified demoralization in 85% of the cases (sensitivity), the specificity of 62% suggests that demoralization was overestimated by case managers.Practice ImplicationsDemoralization is a frequently occurring phenomenon in patients. Methods should be developed that allow professionals and patients to identify demoralization collaboratively, and to develop tailored interventions to prevent demoralization and its negative consequences.

Source: Perspectives in Psychiatric Care - July 9, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Marjolein J. Tongeren, Wiebren Markus, Barbara Stringer, Janneke M. Man, Cornelis A.J. Jong, Berno Meijel Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research