Effects of Interview Mode on Reporting of Moods, Symptoms, and Need for Social Approval

Summary This investigation was concerned with the differences between personal and telephone interviews in the reporting of moods and symptoms indicative of mental health status, and of social desirability. Using indices derived from the Lubin Depression Adjective Checklist, the Langner Scale, and the Crowne-Marlowe need for social approval scale, the findings show that personal interviews (n = 961) elicited greater reporting of mental health symptoms and less reporting of need for approval than telephone interviews (n = 206). In subdividing the above scales, it was found that the large reporting differences between personal and telephone interview groups were in the “moderately private” items.