Psychologists' group slams 'misuse' of psych test in Sereno impeachment

MANILA, Philippines (Originally published on March 2, 2018) — A group of psychologists on Friday slammed the "misuse" of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno's psychological test in a legislative proceeding.

 

"We condemn the unethical practice of using confidential psychological information for purposes of discrediting or damaging a person's character," the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) said in a statement.

 

They hold: "Even if psychological test results become public documents, this does not grant permission for anybody to use it for any purpose other than its original intent."

 

The group's statement comes following the assessment of psychologist Geraldine Trial on Sereno's "mental disturbance" which the former based on news reports in 2012 and discussions held by the House of Representatives.

 

Tria said that the chief justice showed five of nine symptoms of "mental disturbance," adding that she would not recommend Sereno to hold the position of the head of the judiciary.

 

Impeachment complainant Larry Gadon said that Sereno is "unfit" to hold the position of chief justice for scoring 4, the second to the lowest grade, in the psychological examination conducted by the Judicial and Bar and Council.

 

But the PAP stressed: "A psychological assessment is often conducted for a specific purpose, and should only be used for that purpose."

 

"To use a psychological assessment conducted in 2012 (which was for the purpose of Chief Justice Sereno’s appointment) for the current legislative proceedings is a misuse of those results," PAP added.

 

The group clarified that they are not making a stand in support of or against Sereno. It said that it is just clarifying the use of psychological assessments on individuals.

 

READ: Unfazed Sereno faces public, challengers accusers

PAP also said that a psychological assessment comes from a combination of several methods which include an interview, observation, standardized norm-referenced tests and relevant information tools.

 

If a psychologist employs only one or two of the said methods, the assessment would be inaccurate, PAP said.

 

"If a psychologist bases his/her assessment on only one of these methods, or from second-hand reports, then conclusions about 'mental disturbance' based on alleged symptoms that indicate such a condition are misleading, if not inaccurate," PAP said.

 

Tria was invited by the House as an expert. She was not the psychologist tapped by the JBC to conduct the exam on Sereno.

 

Doctors Genuina Ranoy and Dulce Lizza Sahagun conducted the psychological exam on Sereno, but they refused to divulge the results in a public proceeding citing doctor-patient confidentiality.

 

Tria, for her part, based her "assessment" on what she learned from Ranoy and Sahagun in the executive session of the House and on the developments in the past 15 hearings of the justice panel.

 

The PAP stressed that it "upholds the dignity of every human being and we reject recent narratives that directly or indirectly use psychological assessments to stigmatize those with mental or psychological conditions."

 

The JBC has reiterated that there is no "passing or failing" score in the test that it conducts on applicants.

 

Sereno's camp also said that the House had "no business scrutinizing the result of the psychological exam...because it did not constitute grounds for impeachment under the Constitution."