An Exploration of Latina/o Respondent Scores on the Personality Assessment Inventory

Abstract

Despite broad agreement regarding the need for multicultural considerations in applied practice, to date there continues to be a relative scarcity of research on underrepresented groups and personality assessment. This exploratory study is an initial comparison of non-clinical Latino (N = 97) and European American (EA) (N = 123) college students on selected scales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey 1991). Latinos were hypothesized to produce higher scores than EAs on PAI scales reflecting worldview, spirituality, fatalism, family orientation, interpersonal style, experience of stress, and social environment. The selected PAI scales addressed socially desirable responding (Positive Impression Management - PIM); approach to completing the PAI (Infrequency - INF); health concerns (Somatic Complaints - SOM); traumatic and phobic endorsement (Anxiety Related Disorders - ARD); hypervigilance, persecution, and resentment (Paranoia - PAR); unusual and bizarre conceptions and beliefs (Schizophrenia - SCZ); perceived lack of social support (Non-Support - NON); current or recent life stressors (Stress - STR); relational style (Interpersonal Warmth - WRM); and an overall measure of psychological distress (Mean Clinical Elevation - MCE). Results revealed Latinos produced significantly higher scores than EAs on the INF, ARD, PAR, SCZ, NON, and STR scales. Contrary to hypothesis, EAs produced higher WRM scores. Overall, even in this non-clinical student sample, when compared to EAs, the Latino participants produced scores indicative of greater psychological distress and psychopathology (MCE). This exploratory study can inform future research with Latinos and the PAI and offers considerations and cautions for clinical use of the measure.