The MMPI-2-Restructured Form and the Standard MMPI-2 Clinical Scales in Relation to DSM-IV

Abstract

In a Dutch sample of psychiatric outpatients (N = 94), we linked the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 (MMPI-2; Butcher et al., 2001) Clinical scales and MMPI-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008) Higher-Order (H-O) scales, Restructured Clinical (RC) scales and Specific Problem scales to the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV, 4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) by First, Spitzer, Gibbon, and Williams (1995). Overall, the H-O scales, RC scales, and Specific Problem scales display meaningful relationships to Axis I and Axis II disorders conceptualized by the DSM-IV. In addition, the RC scales demonstrate a moderate improvement in validity over the standard Clinical scales. Theoretical and clinical implications are considered.