Correlates of the MMPI-2-RF in a college setting.

The current study examined empirical correlates of scores on Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2–Restructured Form (MMPI–2–RF; A. Tellegen & Y. S. Ben-Porath, 2008; Y. S. Ben-Porath & A. Tellegen, 2008) scales in a college setting. The MMPI–2–RF and six criterion measures (assessing anger, assertiveness, sex roles, cognitive failures, social avoidance, and social fear) were administered to 846 college students (nmen = 264, nwomen = 582) to examine the convergent and discriminant validity of scores on the MMPI–2–RF Specific Problems and Interest scales. Results demonstrated evidence of generally good convergent score validity for the selected MMPI–2–RF scales, reflected in large effect size correlations with criterion measure scores. Further, MMPI–2–RF scale scores demonstrated adequate discriminant validity, reflected in relatively low comparative median correlations between scores on MMPI–2–RF substantive scale sets and criterion measures. Limitations and future directions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparative meta-analysis of Rorschach and MMPI validity.

Two previous meta-analyses concluded that average validity coefficients for the Rorschach and the MMPI have similar magnitudes (L. Atkinson, 1986; K. C. H. Parker et al, see record 1989-14153-001), but methodological problems in both meta-analyses may have impeded acceptance of these results (H. N. Garb et al, see record 1998-11225-011). We conducted a new meta-analysis comparing criterion-related validity evidence for the Rorschach and the MMPI. The unweighted mean validity coefficients (r?s) were .30 for MMPI and .29 for Rorschach, and they were not reliably different (p = .76 under fixed-effects model, p = .89 under random-effects model). The MMPI had larger validity coefficients than the Rorschach for studies using psychiatric diagnoses and self-report measures as criterion variables, whereas the Rorschach had larger validity coefficients than the MMPI for studies using objective criterion variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The detection of faking bad response styles on the MMPI.

Investigated the ability of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) validity indicators to detect simulated MMPI protocols completed by a nonpsychiatric community sample while using an outpatient psychiatric sample as a criterion reference group. 113 Ss in 1 of 3 conditions (community-honest, outpatient-honest, and community-simulating) completed the MMPI. The F scale and the F-K index were conservative and relatively efficient indicators of faking bad. Cutting scores proposed by R. L. Greene (1988) for these validity indicators produced high false positive rates and were, thus, less than optimal for this population. More conservative cutting scores based on the present data were suggested. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A scale for measuring attitudes of social responsibility in children.

"A scale of social attitudes was designed to discriminate children who have, with their peers, a reputation for responsibility as contrasted with children who have little reputation for responsibility. The resulting scale yields a measure which is substantially correlated with other measures of personal and social adjustment." The scale shows a positive trend in mean score with age. Development of the scale is discussed and the items retained after criterion group analysis are presented in a table. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validity of the Wiener subtle and obvious scales for the MMPI: Another example of the importance of inventory-item content.

Conducted canonical variate analysis of MMPI scale T scores and factor scores derived from rating criteria from 2 independent patient samples containing 384 (mean age 26.3 yrs) and 400 (mean age 30.2 yrs) Ss. Results provided substantial evidence for the validity of the interpretive intent of the standard scales Depression, Hysteria, Psychopathic Deviate, Paranoia, and Hypomania (accounting for 28.5 and 25.7% of the criterion variance) and their obvious versions (30.4 and 34.9%), while providing little support (13.4 and 5.6%) for the interpretive intent of the subtle scales. Subtle scale elevation was inversely related to symptomatology on some nonrelated behavioral dimensions. Inclusion of an estimate of client defensiveness did not improve the predictive ability of the subtle scales. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The analysis of an experimental job evaluation system as applied to enlisted naval jobs.

Asample of 103 enlisted naval jobs was evaluated on a 13-factor experimental job evaluation system. For a criterion measure, the jobs were independently ranked on overall difficulty and responsibility. Using the Wherry-Doolittle test selection method on a subsample of 58 jobs, five factors were selected that gave a shrunken multiple R of .968 with the criterion. On a hold-out sample, the prediction equation gave criterion scale values that correlated .937 with the actual criterion scale values. It is suggested that, in the absence of any 'true' criterion of naval job values, overall judgments may well be accepted as a criterion of use in job evaluation research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validation of the Overcontrolled Hostility scale of the MMPI.

Administered the Overcontrolled Hostility (O-H) scale of the MMPI to 110 male forensic psychiatric patients at a state hospital. Anamnestic data were used to divide Ss with a criminal record of assault into overcontrolled or undercontrolled personality types. The O-H scale significantly discriminated between these 2 criterion groups, thus supporting its construct validity. High-O-H patients were characterized by rigidity, excessive control, repression of conflicts, the ability to delay immediate gratification, and a reluctance to express psychiatric symptoms. High-O-H patients reported less alienation, anxiety, and anger than did low-O-H patients. (1 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Application of Faschingbauer's abbreviated MMPI to psychiatric inpatients.

Assessed the degree of interchangeability of an extracted 166-item MMPI developed by T. R. Faschingbauer in 1972 and the standard MMPI, with a sample of 228 psychiatric inpatients. Findings reveal that Faschingbauer's abbreviated MMPI scale and the standard MMPI were markedly similar and highly correlated, indicating that the abbreviated MMPI is a fairly accurate substitute for the MMPI in predicting clinical types. Classification analysis concerning validity showed concurrence between the abbreviated MMPI and the standard-form MMPI in 217 of the Ss. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measuring depression in a clinical population using the MMPI.

When the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) has been compared with other objective depression measures in terms of validity, results have been inconsistent. Administering the MMPI to samples of 72 clinically depressed and 61 clinically nondepressed inpatients and comparing scores from its Depression scale with scores from the Beck Depression Inventory was the purpose of this study. A positive linear relation between the two measures and their ability to discriminate between depressed and nondepressed groups was demonstrated. When obvious subscale items were removed from the MMPI Depression scale and were analyzed separately, results improved on a hit rate of 70% for depression in this population. Research findings based on MMPI Depression scale data from clinical populations may be misleading unless variance due to face-valid or obvious items is taken into account. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparative validity of strategies and indices for differential diagnosis of depressive states from other psychiatric conditions using the MMPI.

Used as source of data the MMPI protocols of 223 18-60 yr old psychiatric inpatients randomly divided into 2 groups for a double cross-validation design, clinical diagnosis of depressive vs nondepressive states as criterion, and multiple regression as the main analytic technique. The individual validity of MMPI scales constructed through empirical (external criterion), purely intuitive, and intuitive plus internal consistency techniques was lower than the validity of regression models. The validity and cross-validity of regression equations obtained from several different sets of scales including "linear models" composed of single scales and "configural models" that included their binary cross-products was very similar across models and across construction techniques of the component scales. A simplified regression formula is provided for diagnostic purposes. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Incremental validity of the MMPI-2 content scales in an outpatient mental health setting.

The incremental validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2 Content Scales (MMPI—2; J. N. Butcher, J. R. Graham, C. L. Williams, & Y. S. Ben-Porath, 1990) was examined using clinical and content scale scores to predict conceptually relevant symptoms and personality characteristics of 274 male and 425 female mental health center outpatients. Regression analyses were performed to determine if the content scales contributed significantly beyond the conceptually relevant clinical scales in predicting therapists' ratings. Of the 10 content scales analyzed, incremental validity was demonstrated for 7 scales for men and 3 scales for women. A 2nd set of analyses indicated that incremental validity was demonstrated for 4 clinical scales for men and 6 clinical scales for women. The findings provide further evidence that the content scales aid interpretation of MMPI—2 scores by contributing additional information beyond the clinical scales. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Edwards SD scale: A short form of the MMPI?

Edwards has described a rationale for predicting MMPI scores based upon social desirability response bias. The clinical utility of this technique was examined by comparing the predicted average MMPI profile with the average profile actually obtained by college males. The estimated and actual profiles were markedly discrepant, indicating that Edwards' SD scale is not a useful substitute for the MMPI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bodily concerns as predicted by the Wechsler Object Assembly and Picture Completion Subtests: Methodological considerations.

Evaluates a report by D. J. Stewart et al (see record 1973-31381-001) of a failure to find a positive relationship between low Object Assembly scores on the WAIS and bodily concerns when the MMPI Hs scale was used in place of projective test data. Substitution of a more appropriate method of data analysis rather than the use of a more appropriate criterion measure (as was assumed) is seen to account for the failure to replicate previous research findings. This approach was extended in the present study with 73 psychiatric inpatients to the WAIS Picture Completion subtest; however, no significant group differences were found on Hs, regardless of the method of data analysis. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An illusory interpretation of the first factor of the MMPI: A reply to Shweder.

Critically evaluates R. A. Shweder's (see record 1978-20144-001) reinterpretation of the meaning of the 1st factor of the MMPI. The solitary coefficient on which he predicates his reinterpretation is shown to be heightened as a function of sample selection, the pooling of judgments when individual judgments are appropriate, and the particular mix of MMPI scales analyzed. Further, Shweder's rationale for his interpretation depends on the factually incorrect assumption of high interrelationships among MMPI items. Finally, Shweder's reinterpretation of the 1st factor of the MMPI offers no explanation whatsoever for the existence of individual differences in response to the questionnaire nor does it explain the many correlates of the MMPI and related questionnaires to real-world criteria. Until this reinterpretation can be extended to apply to the broadly ranging criterion correlates of personality inventories, it is of little interest. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Utility of the MMPI–2-RF (Restructured Form) validity scales in detecting malingering in a criminal forensic setting: A known-groups design.

The current study examined the utility of the recently released Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form (MMPI–2-RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008) validity scales to detect feigned psychopathology in a criminal forensic setting. We used a known-groups design with the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS; Rogers, Bagby, & Dickens, 1992) as the external criterion to determine groups of probable malingering versus nonmalingering. A final sample of 125 criminal defendants, who were administered both the SIRS and the MMPI–2-RF during their evaluations, was examined. The results indicated that the two MMPI–2-RF validity scales specifically designed to detect overreported psychopathology, F-r and FP-r, best differentiated between the malingering and nonmalingering groups. These scales added incremental predictive utility to one another in this differentiation. Classification accuracy statistics substantiated the recommended cut scores in the MMPI–2-RF manual (Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008) in this forensic setting. Implications for these results in terms of forensic assessment and detection of malingering are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

MMPI–2 typology of pregnant drug-dependent women in treatment.

The present study examined the validity of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 (MMPI–2) typology for pregnant drug-dependent women. A 3-cluster solution based on 7 MMPI–2 clinical scales emerged as the best model and was replicated across split-half samples and different primary substance-use diagnoses and treatment modalities. The 3 subtypes identified included Type I (n?=?40, 24%) with no clinical elevation, Type II (n?=?72, 42%) with elevated psychopathic deviate scale, and Type III (n?=?58, 34%) with elevations on all 7 scales. Analyses with interview and self-report measures showed good concurrent validity. Type II had higher retention than Type I and Type III across methadone and medication-free treatments, showing some predictive validity. An a priori method for classifying new cases on the basis of the proposed typology was developed and validated. Study findings support MMPI–2's use with pregnant drug-dependent women for assessment and possibly treatment planning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prediction of improvement in treated and untreated patients using the Rorschach prognostic rating scale.

An attempt was made to evaluate the predictive validity for improvement of the Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale (RPRS) and the MMPI. A group of untreated psychiatric outpatients (N = 40) and a group of outpatients treated with psychotherapy (N = 21) were given the Rorschach and MMPI before their assignment to the treatment or waiting list groups. After a waiting or treatment period of approximately 6 mo., each patient was clinically rated as improved or unimproved. The RPRS was significantly (p