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Interpreting the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems: subscales based on an interpersonal theory model
1Kent Institute of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK. KIMHS@ukc.ac.uk
The British Journal of Medical Psychology
|October 19, 1999
Summary
A new 40-item version of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-40) shows a reliable subscale structure. This structure predicts therapeutic drop-out and reveals gender differences in interpersonal styles.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychotherapy Research
Background:
- The Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) lacks a consistently interpretable subscale structure.
- Interpersonal theory, specifically Birtchnell's interpersonal octagon, provides a framework for understanding interpersonal difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a shortened, theoretically interpretable version of the IIP (IIP-40).
- To examine the psychometric properties and clinical utility of the IIP-40.
Main Methods:
- Items were extracted from the original IIP to create a 40-item scale (IIP-40) with eight 5-item subscales aligned with Birtchnell's interpersonal octagon.
- Inter-item reliability and face validity (using blind raters) were assessed.
- Subscale scores were analyzed for a sample of 150 psychotherapy outpatients.
Main Results:
- The IIP-40 demonstrated acceptable inter-item reliability and face validity.
- Significant gender differences were observed in the 'Upper Close' and 'Neutral Distant' octant positions.
- High scores in the 'Upper Distant' octant significantly predicted therapeutic drop-out.
Conclusions:
- The IIP-40 offers a theoretically grounded and psychometrically sound measure of interpersonal problems.
- The findings support the utility of the IIP-40 in understanding gender-specific interpersonal patterns and predicting treatment engagement.
- Results align with existing literature in interpersonal theory regarding gender and therapeutic outcomes.