Reliability and validity of three measures of functioning with "hard-core" chronic mental patients.

Data on 14 descriptive variables and three measures of functioning were analyzed for 137 chronic psychotic patients who were functioning at such a low level that they were not acceptable for shelter-care placement. Measures of functioning included: the Minimal Social Behavior Scale, administered in a structured interview by professional s taff ; the Social Breakdown Syndrome Gradient Index, administered to aide-level personnel, modified to questionnaire format; and the Nurses Observational Scale of Inpatient Evaluation ratings obtained from aide-level staff. All three instruments were found to possess high interrater reliability. Intercorrelations among the three measures of functioning gave evidence of a common factor, supporting their validity, and indicated that additional information was added by each instrument. In combination, they provide a practical, reliable, valid battery for assessing global level of functioning in hard-core, chronically hospitalized patient groups. Normative data are provided on the sample for descriptive variables and for the three measures of functioning.