The usefulness of DSM-III axis IV and axis V assessments

DSM-III multiaxial diagnoses were given to 257 patients. Analysis of axis I diagnoses and axis IV and axis V assessments generally revealed the expected associations between particular psychiatric disorders and levels of psychosocial stress and social and occupational functioning. However, a major difficulty affecting the usefulness of axis IV and axis V data when they are routinely gathered according to the current DSM-III instructions is the stipulation that the clinician judge the etiological significance of a stressor before it is coded.