Assessing Personality Using Self-Report Measures with African American Clients

Abstract

Potential cultural and racial bias of assessment measures continues to be a concern in the field of psychology. The present chapter reviews the literature relevant to using self-report personality measures with African Americans. Important concerns, such as the effects of racism, racial socialization, acculturation, and their possible effects on personality assessment scores will be discussed. The focus will be on the four most widely used self-report personality measures, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III), Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), and NEO Inventories. These measures vary in how well represented African Americans were in their normative samples and how well researched they are with this population. Overall, the research generally supports the use of these measures with African Americans, with some measures demonstrating greater support than others. Important issues relevant to test interpretation are discussed in order to help clinicians make culturally-competent decisions based on the test scores of African Americans on self-report personality measures.