Journal of Polymorphous Perversity 1995 (Dec.) Vol.13 (1) 325-226 A Brief Report of a Psychodiagnostic System for Outpatient Clinic Clients: Diagnosis by Parking Frank McDonald, Psychologist Townsville General Hospital Abstract: This paper presents results of 12 months observation of the vehicle parking behaviour of 256 individuals attending an outpatient mental health facility. Comparison of initial session parking styles with subsequent psychopathological diagnoses indicated very high correlation (r = .95) between the assessments of judges blind to the study's purpose and final diagnoses. It is argued that a parking diagnostician could improve the accuracy of diagnosis. Future studies would investigate the validity of client self-assessment by providing a choice of parking spaces appropriate to perceived problems. Changes in parking behaviour are a potential outcome measure. Observation by the author over of a number of years lead to the formulation of this study's hypothesis that there is a useful correlation between client parking behaviours and DSM-IV diagnostic categories. This study sought to extend a preliminary parking study by the author in South Africa titled “Porking the Core - A Sign of Pathology?” The author engaged clinic staff in reviewing videotaped parking patterns of a 12 month consecutive series of 256 first arrivals at a local mental health clinic. Clinical staff not involved in treatment of the observed patients were then asked to assign each client to a primary diagnostic category based only on their observation of parking behaviour be- fore beginning treatment. Diagnoses by the subjects' therapists who were blind to the study’s purpose were matched with these observations. Spearman's test of correlation was applied to this data. Correlation approached unity (r =.95). A major implication of the present study's finding is that the process of assessment could be shortened by the employment of a parking diagnostician. Also the additional data would enhance diagnostic precision and reduce high costs of psychological test materials. Support for the study's hypothesis lead to the following suggested parking signs (see Figures 1-15 below) that are to be used in a subsequent correlational study. Clients will be asked to choose a signed parking space appropriate to their problems. This will test the utility of client collaboration in their assessment with potential for enhancing the validity of diagnoses. Future studies could test whether successful outcomes of therapy reflect in significant changes in parking behaviour. Figures 1-3: Diagnostic Parking Signs (continued over page.) Clinic Clinic Clinic Clinic Clinic Clinic Clinic Clinic Clinic Clinic Clinic Clinic Dependent Alcoholic Social Phobic

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Journal of Polymorphous Perversity 1995 (Dec.) Vol.13 (1) 325-226

A Brief Report of a Psychodiagnostic System forOutpatient Clinic Clients: Diagnosis by Parking

Frank McDonald, PsychologistTownsville General Hospital

Abstract: This paper presents results of 12 months observation of the vehicle parking behaviour of 256 individualsattending an outpatient mental health facility. Comparison of initial session parking styles with subsequentpsychopathological diagnoses indicated very high correlation (r = .95) between the assessments of judges blind to thestudy's purpose and final diagnoses. It is argued that a parking diagnostician could improve the accuracy of diagnosis.Future studies would investigate the validity of client self-assessment by providing a choice of parking spaces appropri-ate to perceived problems. Changes in parking behaviour are a potential outcome measure.

Observation by the author over of a number of years lead to the formulation of thisstudy's hypothesis that there is a useful correlation between client parking behaviours andDSM-IV diagnostic categories. This study sought to extend a preliminary parking studyby the author in South Africa titled “Porking the Core - A Sign of Pathology?” The author engaged clinic staff in reviewing videotaped parking patterns of a 12month consecutive series of 256 first arrivals at a local mental health clinic. Clinical staffnot involved in treatment of the observed patients were then asked to assign each client toa primary diagnostic category based only on their observation of parking behaviour be-fore beginning treatment. Diagnoses by the subjects' therapists who were blind to thestudy’s purpose were matched with these observations. Spearman's test of correlation wasapplied to this data. Correlation approached unity (r =.95). A major implication of the present study's finding is that the process of assessmentcould be shortened by the employment of a parking diagnostician. Also the additional datawould enhance diagnostic precision and reduce high costs of psychological test materials. Support for the study's hypothesis lead to the following suggested parking signs (seeFigures 1-15 below) that are to be used in a subsequent correlational study. Clients will beasked to choose a signed parking space appropriate to their problems. This will test theutility of client collaboration in their assessment with potential for enhancing the validityof diagnoses. Future studies could test whether successful outcomes of therapy reflect insignificant changes in parking behaviour.

Figures 1-3: Diagnostic Parking Signs (continued over page.)

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Dependent Alcoholic Social Phobic