Identifying Depression and Schizophrenia Using Vignettes: a Methodological Note

The aim of this study was to assess lay people's ability to identify depression and schizophrenia from well established vignettes using hypothetical patients of both sexes. In all 122 participants answered a questionnaire, consisting of six vignette case studies describing psychological symptoms; three each associated with depression and schizophrenia. They answered three questions: what is the person's main problem; how could they be best helped; what would you do to help? Overall, depression was more often correctly identified compared to schizophrenia. The gender of the participant and the individual presented in the vignette did have an effect on the vignette identification task. Limitations and implications of these results and the use of vignette methodology were discussed.