Student Therapists’ Assessment of Diagnostic Testing

Seventy-three student therapists (psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers) at a psychoanalytic training center responded to a survey questionnaire on attitudes and behavior relating to psychodiagnostic reports. Factor analysis of the questionnaire yielded three substantive dimensions: (a) General Diagnostic Utility, (b) Independent Action, and (c) Cry for Help. The latter two factors related to age and profession of the respondent. In general the respondents indicated psychodiagnostics could be of significant utility, though some evidence suggested they may serve primarily a confirmatory function. Conflicts between teaching and service roles of a training clinic were discussed.