The effects of psychiatric and psychosocial interviews on children

To test child and parent reactions to direct interviewing, a survey was administered to parents and children who had been directly interviewed as part of two family alcoholism studies. Subjects had been asked about possible psychopathology in the children and about psychosocial stressors that the children may have experienced. For this study, parents and children were asked if the children had been upset by the experience or affected in any negative way. The results show a positive response from both parents and children to all aspects of the interview. There were no serious negative effects. Many parents and children enjoyed the interview, and none of the families indicated that they would not continue to participate in the study because of the questions asked of the children.