Psychopathology among persons responding to participation as normal controls in behavioral research studies☆☆☆★

This study examined the characteristics of persons responding to an advertisement to participate as normal controls in behavioral research studies. Applicants (N = 3,289) inquired by telephone for more information. Of the applicants responding by telephone, 18% met the criteria for a DSM-III-R diagnosis, including psychoactive substance abuse (9%), mood disorder (4%), personality disorder (3%), schizophrenia (1%), anxiety disorder (1%), and neurological disorder (16%). Thirty-two percent (n = 1,045) of individuals passing the telephone interview were evaluated in person. After in-person evaluation, 16% met the criteria for a DSM-III-R diagnosis, including psychoactive substance abuse (9%), mood disorder (3%), personality disorder (3%), schizophrenia (0.1%), anxiety disorder (1%), and neurological disorder (11%). Only 13% (n = 431) of individuals responding by telephone were included as normal controls in ongoing studies. Overall, 79% (n = 2,244) and 57% (n = 590) were excluded by telephone and in-person evaluation, respectively. These results suggest that a high percentage of individuals seeking to participate as normal controls in behavioral research studies have some psychopathology. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.