collateral informant
A third party who provides information about a patient's functioning and symptoms, typically parents, teachers, or caregivers.
Full Definition
In child and adolescent psychiatry, a collateral informant is any individual other than the patient who can provide relevant information about the young person's behavior, symptoms, and functioning across different settings. This typically includes parents, guardians, teachers, coaches, or other caregivers who have regular contact with the child. Collateral information is essential in pediatric mental health assessment because children and adolescents may lack the developmental capacity or insight to accurately report their own symptoms. The reliability and perspective of different collateral informants must be carefully considered when integrating their reports into clinical formulations.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from 'collateral contact' which refers to the act of contacting, not the person providing information.
In Context
- "The psychiatrist interviewed the teacher as a collateral informant to assess classroom behavior patterns." — Assessment report
- "Multiple collateral informants provided consistent reports of the adolescent's mood changes." — Clinical notes