Comparability of the MMPI-2 and PAI in third party reproduction psychological evaluation

Abstract

To investigate the comparability of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and Personality Assessment Inventory's (PAI) validity, clinical, and personality subscales in a sample of gestational carrier (GC) applicants. Retrospective review of GC applicant psychological testing from 2009-2011. De-identified MMPI-2 and PAI subscale scores from N = 16 GC applicants. All mean scale scores on the clinical, validity, and personality scales of the measures were within normal limits. Further, no clinical scale scores were elevated above T = 64 on the Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales of the MMPI-2 or the PAI. Elevations above T = 64 on MMPI-2 Clinical Scales 1 (Hs), 3 (Hy) and 9 (Ma) were found. Scores on two matching PAI (i.e., PIM, T = 62.25; and DEF, T = 64.06) and MMPI-2 (i.e., L, T = 60.93; and K, T = 63.38) validity scales were more than one standard deviation above the mean. Large correlations were found between PIM and L (r = .65) and multiple other PAI and MMPI-2 clinical and personality scales (e.g., PAI-SOM and RC1, r = .70; PAI-MAN and Clinical Scale 9, r = .62). There was no statistical difference between the number of PAI and MMPI-2 profiles with elevated validity scale scores. Finally, of the applicants who were not accepted into the GC program for psychological reasons, all profiles had validity and/or clinical scale score elevations on both measures. The MMPI-2 and PAI are two measures often utilized independently to assess response style and psychological symptomatology in GC applicants. A comparison of the measures did not find the expected relationships among all matching scales of the PAI and MMPI-2. However, the measures appear to consistently identify invalid responding. Use of both measures could provide greater understanding of applicant response style and symptomatology; however, the increased cost and time commitment may be prohibitive. The results of this study suggest that use of either measure alone is acceptable.