Interviewer effects in psychiatric epidemiology: a study of medical and lay interviewers and their impact on reported symptoms.

Utilizing data from a field study of psychiatric disorder, the study examined sex differences in patterns of response to interviewers in contrasting status positions. The dependent variables in the analysis were mean scores on nosological scales measuring three dimensions of symptomotology identified in a factor analysis. Independent variables were interviewer status and respondent sex. Three categories of interviewers were randomly assigned to administer a structured interview schedule. Strong interaction effects between interviewer status and respondent sex were noted. Women disclosed significantly fewer symptoms to the high status interviewers (identified physicians), whereas males reported most symptoms to this group. Theoretical explanations derived from the literature on sex roles were offered regarding the origins of women's response to high status figures.