“Problem Situations” as a Forensic Assessment Instrument: Assessing Parameters and Checking Internal Consistency

In order to standardize “The Problem situations” as a forensic instrument, a study was conducted with the aim to identify the parameters of the assessment and to check the internal consistency of the instrument. The sample consisted of 47 subjects who underwent inpatient forensic psychiatric examination in connection with the decision on the issue of changing their civil status, with schizophrenia, intellectual disabilities and organic mental disorders. Primary and secondary evaluation parameters were identified by the content analysis. Correlation analysis was used to check the internal consistency of the instrument. On the example of the first problematic situation, the procedure for identifying secondary parameters is shown. It has been established that the correlation analysis between the secondary parameters belonging to three categories: causes — consequences — solutions, confirms the results of a qualitative analysis and biclustering. Significant correlations between semantic similar secondary parameters that are related to different problem situations were revealed. A conclusion was made about the internal consistency of the instrument and about its assumed construct validity.