Abstract
This study investigated changes in responses of hospitalized Ss when both desirable and undesirable scales were given twice with instructions for Ss to first report how they felt recently and secondly how they felt during a best period. When relationships between changes in scores and duration of hospitalization were determined, a conjoint increase in desirable and a decrease in undesirable scores was predictive of short hospitalization. Changes in desirable scores only were not significantly correlated with outcome but improved scores with best-period instructions were more frequent with short than longer-duration patients. Changes in two undesirable scores were signficantly correlated with outcome. Findings suggest that patients who frankly reveal shortcomings and distresses for a recent period but who obtain desirable and undesirable scores within “normal” limits for a best period are likely to have favorable prognosis.
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