Relationship problems and the DSM: Needed improvements and suggested solutions

dc.contributor.authorHeyman, R. E., Slep, A. M. S., Beach, S. R., Wamboldt, M. Z., Kaslow, N. J., & Reiss, D.
dc.date.accessioned2014-08-07T18:14:58Z
dc.date.available2014-08-07T18:14:58Z
dc.date.issued2009
dc.description.abstractRelational problems are clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndromes or patterns that occur between or among individuals and that are associated with present distress or disability or with a significant increased risk of suffering death, pain, disability, or an important loss of freedom. Relational problems (e.g., partner relational problems, partner abuse, child maltreatment) are included as Axis I disorders in the DSM-IV as V-codes (i.e., “Other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention”). However, there are no criteria provided in the DSM-IV for these codes. In this article, we briefly review literature that incontrovertibly documents both relational problems’ syndromes/patterns and their serious sequelae. We then review a series of studies that provide evidence of content validity and inter-rater agreement for criteria to determine presence versus absence of relational problems. The most studied subset of relational problem criteria, those for partner and child maltreatment, have been shown to have remarkably high levels of reliability when disseminated broadly in the field (κ = .66-.89), at agreement levels never reached by DSM diagnoses for individuals. We conclude by arguing that science, service, families, individuals, and the DSM itself, would be well served to include diagnostic criteria for relational problems and to consider the various options for placement of relational problems/processes in the DSM-V. (Author Abstract)en_US
dc.identifier.citationHeyman, R. E., Slep, A. M. S., Beach, S. R., Wamboldt, M. Z., Kaslow, N. J., & Reiss, D. (2009). Relationship problems and the DSM: Needed improvements and suggested solutions. World psychiatry, 8(1), 7-14.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654406/pdf/wpa010007.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/1630
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherWorld psychiatryen_US
dc.subjectchild abuseen_US
dc.subjectrelational problemsen_US
dc.subjectpartner and child maltreatmenten_US
dc.subjectdiagnostic criteriaen_US
dc.subjectDSM-IVen_US
dc.titleRelationship problems and the DSM: Needed improvements and suggested solutionsen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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