Commentary: MMPI-2 Readability

Abstract

ABSTRACT This commentary is meant as a clarification of a discussion in the Journal of Child Custody, Volume 2, Issue 4 on MMPI-2 readability found in an article by Bow, Flens, and Gould, “An Analysis of Administration, Scoring, and Interpretation of the MMPI-2 and MCMI-II/III in Child Custody Evaluations.” This commentary explores whether an MMPI-2 test taker needs an eighth grade reading level or a sixth grade reading level to take the test. Arguments are presented on both sides of this issue. These authors conclude that at least an eighth grade reading level is mandatory. The authors encourage psychologists who administer this test to give the test taker a reading test if they suspect that the litigant might not read at an eighth grade level; and they suggest that the difficult reading items be analyzed through an examination of unanswered and critical items.