Nonverbal interaction of patients and therapists during psychiatric interviews.

Videotaped interviews of 50 psychiatric inpatients and 25 control Ss with 5 psychiatrists and analyzed the nonverbal behavior, which was coded and recorded every 10 sec for 2 5-min segments per interview. After the interview the therapists rated the Ss on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Results show that the psychiatric patients held their legs symmetrically, groomed themselves, shifted posture, and frowned more than the control Ss did, and smiled and looked toward the therapist less. Nonverbal behavior of patients varied according to BPRS factor scores: Withdrawal was positively associated with turning the head away and negatively associated with smiling. Thought Disorder was positively correlated with grooming. Anxiety–Depression was associated with holding the head even and with hand tapping; and Mania was correlated with sitting upright and smiling. In interviews with patients vs controls, therapists' behavior differed in head orientation, smiling, hand tapping, and foot movements. It also differed according to the patients' ratings on the BPRS. Results are discussed in terms of affiliative–conflict theory and the construct of the therapeutic role. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)