The equivalence of guilt and anxiety as psychological constructs.

The study investigates the relationship between anxiety and feelings of guilt by comparing the MA scale with a scale of items selected from the MMPI by clinical judges to measure the construct of feelings of guilt. A comparison was made of the 2 scales using the MMPI protocols of 70 VA psychiatric inpatients, 70 male psychiatric nursing aide applicants, and 70 female aide applicants. For the combined 3 groups there was a correlation of .75 which increases to .93 when correction is made for attenuation. The results were interpreted as showing that as far as self-report measures are concerned, scales involving clinical constructs of guilt and anxiety measure the same psychological entity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

MMPI correlates of social and physical anhedonia.

The construct validity of scales measuring social and physical anhedonia (L. J. Chapman et al, 1976) was investigated by performing simple and canonical correlation analyses of clinical, content, and pure scales from the MMPI. Ss were 243 consecutively admitted male veterans (mean age 31.87 yrs) in an inpatient drug dependence treatment program. Results support predictions that anhedonia, defined as a deficiency in the ability to experience pleasure, would be associated with social maladjustment and confused thinking and, further, that anhedonia scales would measure personality characteristics other than depression. Social anhedonia and physical anhedonia were associated with the clinical scales Validity and Social Introversion, the content scales Social Maladjustment and Psychoticism, and Pure Scale 7, which measures characteristics associated with the 278 MMPI profile type and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2nd edition) equivalents of "schizophrenia, latent type." Degree of association was stronger for scales measuring social anhedonia, contrary to the test authors' speculations that the measure of physical anhedonia would be the more promising of the 2 scales. The construct validity of personality assessment suggested that further study is warranted, particularly to determine other aspects of everyday living that may be implicated in measures of social and physical anhedonia. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Delineating the construct network of the Personnel Reaction Blank: Associations with externalizing tendencies and normal personality.

Integrity testing has long been utilized in personnel selection to screen for tendencies toward counterproductive workplace behaviors. The construct of externalizing from the psychopathology literature represents a coherent spectrum marked by disinhibitory traits and behaviors. The present study drew on a sample of male and female undergraduates to examine the construct network of the Personnel Reaction Blank (PRB; H. G. Gough, R. D. Arvey, & P. Bradley, 2004), a measure of integrity, in relation to externalizing as well as normal-range personality constructs assessed by the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ; A. Tellegen & N. G. Waller, 2008). Results revealed moderate to strong associations between several PRB scales and externalizing, which were largely accounted for by MPQ traits subsumed by Negative Emotionality and Constraint. After accounting for MPQ traits in the prediction of externalizing, a modest predictive increment was achieved when adding the PRB scales, particularly biographical indicators from the Prosocial Background subscale. The findings highlight externalizing as a focal criterion for scale development in the integrity testing literature and help delineate the construct network of the PRB within the domains of personality and psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validity of the 16 PF and the MMPI in a mental hospital setting.

Administered the MMPI and 16 PF to 201 15-60 yr. old new admissions to a state mental hospital. Correlations between the 2 sets of scale scores were examined directly and by factor analysis. 3 common factors appeared to be represented to some extent in both instruments. The 16 PF appeared weak in the measurement of the more serious kinds of psychopathology, and had strongest loadings in a common factor identified with the validity scales of the MMPI. The 16 PF was found to measure 3 higher-order factors of personality not represented in the MMPI, but they do not appear highly relevant for assessment in a disturbed mental hospital population. Numerous significant relationships to psychiatrically relevant background variables were identified in analyses of profiles derived from both instruments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality and depression: a validation study of the depressive experiences questionnaire

This study investigated the validity of Blatt's model of depression as indicated by his operational measure of its constructs via the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ; Blatt, D'Afflitti, & Quinlan, 1976). Hypothesized relations between the two relevant scales of the DEQ and Tellegen's (1982) Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) were examined. Participants consisted of 195 women, including 67 hospitalized unipolar depressives, 77 never-hospitalized unipolar depressives, and 51 nonpsychiatric controls. Overall, the results partially supported the validity of the DEQ even though all participants were women and prior studies have indicated the DEQ's greater discriminative validity for men than for women. However, several of the most strongly predicted relations, such as between DEQ Self-Criticism and MPQ Achievement were not confirmed. Coherent, significant relations between scales of the two measures remained after partialling out the effects of severity of depression.     

Assessing the Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY-5) in adolescents: New MMPI–A Scales.

The Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY-5; A. R. Harkness & J. L. McNulty, 1994) is a dimensional model of personality. Scales to measure the PSY-5 in adolescents were constructed from Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—Adolescents (MMPI–A) items. From the MMPI-2-based PSY-5 scales (A. R. Harkness, J. L. McNulty, & Y. S. Ben-Porath, 1995), 104 items are found in the MMPI–A booklet. Replicated rational selection (A. R. Harkness, J. L. McNulty, & Y. S. Ben-Porath, 1994) was used to identify additional items from questions unique to the MMPI–A. Preliminary scales were refined with internal psychometric analyses using the MMPI–A normative (N?=?1,620; J. N. Butcher, C. L. Williams, J. R. Graham, R. P. Archer, A. Tellegen, Y. S. Ben-Porath, & B. Kaemmer, 1992) and clinical (N?=?713; C. L. Williams & J. N. Butcher, 1989) samples. The median coefficient alpha for the 5 scales was .76 in both samples; the mean absolute scale intercorrelation was .32 in the normative sample and .30 in the clinical sample. Correlations with collateral data supported the construct validity of the scales. (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)     

Clinical utility of the MMPI research scales in the assessment of adolescent acting out behaviors.

The substantial number of MMPI research scales developed during the last 50 yrs provides a unique opportunity to compare the practical value of a large number of related scales and the methodologies used to develop them. To this end, the concurrent validity of 93 MMPI scales as measures of acting out (aggressiveness, chemical dependency, delinquency, family conflict, and school behavior problems) was evaluated in a sample of 327 adolescent inpatients. Results generally support the construct validity of the Psychopathic Deviate scale but also reveal several research scales that function well as broad measures of acting out. There were, however, relatively few scales that were narrowly related to specific behavioral tendencies. Scales consisting exclusively of face-valid items generally performed better in this regard than did scales including "subtle" items, and they appear to have greater clinical utility with this population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reliabilities and intercorrelations of eight measures of proneness to psychosis.

Scales thought to measure psychosis proneness—Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Psychoticism scale; the Schizoidia scale; composite scales for the MMPI 2-7-8 and 2-7-8-0 profiles; and Physical Anhedonia, Perceptual Aberration, Magical Ideation, and Nonconformity scales—were compared on their coefficient-alpha estimate of reliability and were intercorrelated, using 7,614 college students and 340 outpatient clinic clients. Test–retest reliability was examined for 5 of the scales using 511 college students. The Psychoticism and Nonconformity scales were found to measure the same pathology, but the Nonconformity scale did so more reliably. The Schizoidia scale was found to measure the same pathology as the MMPI 2-7-8 and 2-7-8-0 scales, but the longer MMPI scales did so more reliably. The Magical Ideation and Perceptual Aberration scales were highly correlated, and both had a negative correlation with the Physical Anhedonia scale. The MMPI 2-7-8 and 2-7-8-0 scales correlated positively with all of the other scales, indicating that these MMPI composite scales are sensitive to more than one kind of pathology. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predicting prison adjustment with structured personality inventories.

Investigated the degree to which individual scales and multivariate combinations of scales on the MMPI and the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) could predict criteria of adjustment in prison. Ss were 1,313 male inmates (mean age 22.2 yrs) at a federal correctional institution who were admitted over a 2-yr period. Two-thirds of the sample was used as a derivation sample and one-third was used for cross-validation. Ss completed the scales soon after incarceration. Results support the construct validity of several MMPI and CPI scales, but the absolute magnitude of the associations was low. Combinations of MMPI and CPI scales produced higher multiple correlations but generally did not hold up on cross-validation. It is concluded that neither the MMPI or CPI scales or weighted linear combinations thereof provided enough accuracy to be used alone for individual actuarial prediction. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

What pathological dimensions lie beyond the normal dimensions of the 16 PF? A comparison of MMPI and 16 PF factor domains.

A set of mutually exclusive, exhaustive parcels of MMPI items and the 16 personality factor scales from the Cattell 16 PF were factored together on 217 normal and 40 abnormal adult Air Force men. The analysis of the resulting 64 variables (45 MMPI parcels and 19 16 PF scales) yielded 21 factors, of which 13 are clearly identifiable as factors in the 16 PF and 4 are clearly MMPI factors. MMPI data were scored also for the traditional 14 clinical scales, and their predictability from 16 PF source trials examined in terms of the squared multiple correlations. The 7-factor space typically represented by the MMPI clinical scales was found to lie within the dimensionality of the Cattell 16 PF. The total prediction of the set of MMPI clinical scales from a single form (A) of the 16 PF, uncorrected for attenuation, is represented by the canonical correlation of .8. (47 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using IRT to separate measurement bias from true group differences on homogeneous and heterogeneous scales: An illustration with the MMPI.

The authors present a didactic illustration of how item response theory (IRT) can be used to separate measurement bias from true group differences on homogeneous and heterogeneous scales. Several bias detection methods are illustrated with 12 unidimensional Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) factor scales (Waller, 1999) and the 13 multidimensional MMPI validity and clinical scales. The article begins with a brief review of MMPI bias research and nontechnical reviews of the 2-parameter logistic model (2-PLM) and several IRT-based methods for bias detection. A goal of this article is to demonstrate that homogeneous and heterogeneous scales that are composed of biased items do not necessarily yield biased test scores. To that end, the authors perform differential item- and test-functioning analyses on the MMPI factor, validity, and clinical scales using data from 511 Blacks and 1,277 Whites from the California Youth Authority. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characteristics of the frequent nightmare sufferer.

Previous research had found that persons who experience frequent nightmares score highly on scales that measure psychotic symptomatology. Neurotic symptoms have also been implicated as correlates of nightmare frequency. In this study, 30 adult lifelong nightmare sufferers were compared with 30 control Ss, matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES). Ss were asked to record all dreams for 1 mo and to complete the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). Nightmare Ss scored significantly higher on the EPQ Neuroticism scale and on 8 MMPI clinical scales than did the control group. These scales also best discriminated between the groups in a direct discrimination analysis. The results are interpreted as a reflection of global maladjustment rather than of specific psychotic symptomatology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of the clinical utility of the MMPI basic scales and specific MMPI state-trait scales: A test of Dahlstrom's hypothesis.

Tested W. G. Dahlstrom's (1972) hypothesis that the clinical utility of the MMPI could be improved through the use of dimensionally pure personality trait and psychopathological state scales to supplant the present dimensionally complex clinical and validity scales. 508 male psychiatric patients (mean age, 37.7 yrs) were diagnostically categorized using a structured classification algorithm; discriminant functions were then computed first for a relatively untainted set of symptom, characterological, and validity scales, then for the basic MMPI clinical and validity scales as independent variates. Results fail to confirm Dahlstrom's hypothesis. The MMPI clinical scales distinguished diagnostic categories better than did the state and trait scales. Possible reasons for lack of confirmation of Dahlstrom's hypothesis are discussed, and alternative modes of analysis are suggested. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

MMPI scores for field-dependent and field-independent psychiatric outpatients.

Investigated the relationship of field dependency to personality traits and styles of psychopathological adjustment. 3 shortcomings of previous research were avoided by using a larger sample (N = 414), a nonprojective measure of personality, and a clinical population. Validity scales, clinical scales, and 13 experimental Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scales were compared for field-dependent and field-independent psychiatric outpatients. Separate analyses were made for males and females. As predicted, field-dependent males scored higher on social desirability and acquiescence but lower on social introversion. Field-dependent females scored higher on hysteria, repression, and hypochondriasis but lower on ego strength and control. Overall results partially support the proposed relationship of field dependency to personality traits and modes of psychopathological adjustment. The sex of the S is an important variable in predicting specific relationships. Correlational data indicate that the strength of the relationship between field dependency and MMPI scales should not be overestimated. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Equivalence of the MMPI-2 with the MMPI in psychiatric patients.

Psychiatric patients were administered the MMPI, its revision (MMPI-2), or both, in a counterbalanced repeated-measures design. MMPI-2 T scores were found to be significantly lower than MMPI T scores on several of the clinical scales. S rank order on T scores and dispersion of the basic clinical scales did not differ between the tests, and measures of profile similarity indicated congruence between the 2 instruments. Among Ss who completed both the MMPI and the MMPI-2, code-type concordance was not significantly lower than stability rates of the tests. Results support the assignment of 65T as the lower boundary of clinical elevation on the MMPI-2 and the psychometric equivalence of the MMPI-2 and the MMPI with respect to mean T scores, score rankings, and measures of score distribution. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Professional training with and use of the MMPI.

Surveyed 128 professional psychologists by mail regarding their training with and use of the MMPI. Results show that 91% do assessment as part of their clinical practice, and 67% employ the MMPI. Users and nonusers differed primarily in types of clients assessed. Users were more likely than nonusers to have as their clientele criminal offenders, general medical patients, and neurological patients. The users appeared to be circumspect in their use of nonroutine MMPI procedures. Computerized interpretations and supplementary scales were popular, but short forms were not. 45% of MMPI users described the test as "very useful." (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The new uniform T scores for the MMPI—2: Rationale, derivation, and appraisal.

Although normative distributions of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2 (MMPI—2) clinical and content scales tend to be positively skewed, individual scales differ in degree of skewness. The linear T scores in use with the original MMPI preserve these skewness differences. For the MMPI—2, a Uniform T (UT score) transformation has been adopted. Its target distribution is the positively skewed composite (or prototypical) linear T score distribution of MMPI—2 clinical scales. UT scores are percentile comparable, yet, unlike normalized T scores, depart minimally from the familiar linear T scores. The authors describe the UT score derivation, report degree of percentile comparability achieved, and argue that the positive skewness of the UT-score distributions, besides minimizing discontinuity, is conceptually meaningful. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Failure of Wiener and Harmon Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) subtle scales as personality descriptors and as validity indicators.

Prototypical Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) correlates in the form of spouse ratings were used as criteria to evaluate the validity of the MMPI subtle scales constructed by D. N. Wiener and Harmon (Wiener, 1948) for describing personality and for indicating profile validity. Results from a normative sample (n?=?1,682) and a marital counseling sample (n?=?369) indicated that the addition of the subtle scales to the obvious scales attenuates validity to the same degree as the addition of a random variable. Likewise, results did not support the use of an index based on MMPI subtle scales designed to detect overreporting or underreporting, of psychopathology. These findings are discussed in terms of their relevance to clinical assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality disorder correspondence among the MMPI, MBHI, and MCMI

MMPI, MBHI, and MCMI personality disorder scales were analyzed for convergent and discriminant validity. Friedman's ANOVA indicated that there were no significant differences among the sample's averaged scale scores. Further analyses of these data, however, demonstrated that the Millon instruments classified significantly more of the sample as personality disordered when compared to Morey's MMPI personality disorder scales. In addition, codetype correspondence among the three instruments was only 4 to 6%. When the instruments were analyzed in a pair-wise fashion, codetype correspondence increased to approximately 10 to 20%. These data indicate that these personality disorder scales do not demonstrate construct equivalence, particularly at the level of the individual profile.