Dysfunctional Negative Emotions Research Articles

B - 79 Examining the MMPI-2-RF Profiles of Diagnosed Autistic Adults

Abstract Objective The current study examined the psychopathology and personality trait presentation in Autistic adults utilizing the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form. We sought to identify patterns in the overall MMPI-2-RF score profiles of adults with autism spectrum disorder as well as to explore group differences between an ASD sample and a non-ASD group. Method Archival data was collected from a private clinic specializing in differential diagnosis in the Midwestern United States. 26 participants in the ASD group (57.7% male; 18–60 years old; 65.4% Caucasian) and 26 participants in the non-ASD group (53.9% male; 19–62 years old; 76.9% Caucasian) were matched using a one-to-one propensity score match with verbal composite score, age, and sex as the variables. The non-ASD group included clients administered the MMPI-2-RF and diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and/or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Results Results showed statistically significant group differences on three validity scales as well as the scales of Ideas of Persecution, Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Aberrant Experiences, Behavior-Restricting Fears, Juvenile Conduct Problems, Disaffiliativeness, Psychoticism-Revised, and Thought Dysfunction. Conclusion Several statistically significant and clinically relevant group differences were identified such as on scales of Aberrant Experiences and Disaffiliativeness which may be explained by social alienation & maladjustment experienced by autistic adults. Furthermore, differences on validity scales assessing infrequent responses and Uncommon Virtues may reflect rigid thinking. Findings also align with past research showing higher levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidality experienced by Autistic individuals. Overall, we established a pattern of elevated psychopathology and personality trait presentation in autistic adults which may be used to guide treatment interventions.

Novel Psychoactive Substance Use and Psychological Trauma: A Multimethodological Analysis

Background Authors discuss the connections between novel psychoactive substance (NPS) use and psychological trauma. The transition from classical substances to NPS, a paradigm change, poses a challenge for the treatment systems. Objective: Research evidence suggests difficulties in emotion regulation and trauma-related NPS-use. Authors explore some demographic and psychopathological characteristics related to such findings and examine the connections between emotion regulation deficiency and the choice of substance. Method This study uses a methodological triangulation of a biologically identified sample to confirm NPS use, a survey method to describe users’ socioeconomic characteristics, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) subscales to study dysfunctions in emotion regulation. Results Participants (77 patients) were mainly polydrug users. The transgenerational transfer of substance use was a salient feature, but material deprivation was not characteristic of the entire sample. NPS use was not connected to certain psychopathological characteristics the way classical substance use was. More than half of the respondents had elevated scores on MMPI-2 Demoralization (RCd) and Dysfunctional Negative Emotions (RC7) scales. Nearly half of them also scored high on Neuroticism/Negative Emotionality (NEGE). Conclusions Results suggest that NPS use in the context of polydrug use is connected to psychological trauma and emotion regulation deficiency, but the MMPI-2 scales to assess emotional dysfunctions are not connected to a particular type of NPS.

A - 90 Assessment Methods for Anxiety in Epilepsy.

Anxiety is disproportionately common in people with epilepsy, however, the optimal tool to screen for assessment of anxiety in epilepsy has not been definitively established. This study aims to assess if a long questionnaire such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is necessary for identifying and quantifying anxiety symptoms in patients with epilepsy or if the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) will suffice as a screening measure. Retrospective data were analyzed from a neuropsychology registry of patients with epilepsy (N = 317; 136 male, 181 female). As proposed by Kenfack et al, 2022, patients that scored ≥16 on the BAI were cross tabulated with patients identified by the MMPI-2-RF as having T-scores ≥65 on scales EID (emotional/internalizing dysfunction), RC7 (dysfunctional negative emotions), STW (stress/worry), AXY (anxiety), and RC1(somatic complaints). Multiple chi square tests with alpha set at.05 were performed to examine the relationship between BAI and MMPI-2-RF indices in identifying anxiety in patients with epilepsy. As shown in Table 1, scores above the cutoff on the BAI were significantly associated with scores falling above the cutoffs for all of the MMPI-2-RF anxiety indices (EID, RC1, RC7, STW, & AXY). The diagnostic value of the BAI is similar to that of MMPI-2-RF subscales commonly used to assess anxiety. The findings provide support for using the BAI for screening anxiety symptoms in patients with epilepsy undergoing neuropsychological assessment. Keywords: Anxiety, Epilepsy, MMPI-2-RF, BAI.

Aggression as a form of adaptation in conflicting relationships parents – teenagers

This paper aims to present the main theoretical aspects of aggressiveness as a form of adaptation in the parent-teenager relationship, given the different characteristics of adolescents, but also of parents. Aggressiveness is an attribute characterized by a whole series of manifestations in an intentional or not intentional manner, which can be manifested in social groups, in the school environment, or even in the family. This paper comes with a unique perspective from two categories of subjects, namely, adolescents and parents from urban areas and adolescents and parents from rural areas, who have a different educational level, belonging to different social backgrounds, regarding aggression as a personality trait, how it may or may not be influenced by self-esteem or dysfunctional negative emotions.

Can Dysfunctional Negative Emotions Explain Students' Level of Academic Motivation in Online Learning at University?

The study highlights the association relationship between students’ academic motivation level (N=150) and the variables related to dysfunctional negative emotions and physical health. Simultaneously, we analyze whether negative dysfunctional emotions can explain the level of academic motivation, provided that physical health is controlled. The research method used was a questionnaire-based survey. The working tools were: The Questionnaire for measuring the types of motivation regulation in the academic field (Robu & Tufeanu, 2020), The state of physical health from the Inventory of self-perceived well-being Subscale (Roşeanu & Răşcanu, 2008); Dysfunctional-Negative Emotions Subscale, from The Emotion Measurement Scale (Trip, 2007). According to the research results, the level of academic motivation (more specifically, intrinsic motivation and identification) is inversely associated with the level of negative dysfunctional emotions and directly with the state of physical health, with an average effect size. However, in the multiple regression analysis, given that the level of health is kept constant, only the level of identification motivation can be explained by the level of dysfunctional negative emotions. In conclusion, we emphasize the role of collaboration in this topic between specialists in education and mental health.

The Efficacy of Guided and Unguided Game-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Reducing Distress in College Students.

Objective: College students` mental health is an international prioritized research subject. Dedicated interventions are constantly developed to be more suited, attractive, and effective and to reach as many students as possible. Our study aims to investigate the efficacy of an online game-based cognitive-behavioral therapy transdiagnostic intervention (REThink game) in reducing psychology students' distress. Method: Our sample consisted of 139 students (mean age 26.27; 17 male students and 122 female students) who voluntarily enrolled in our study, and they were randomly assigned to 1 of our 3 groups (REThink game without guidance n = 44; REThink game with guidance n = 46; or care-as-usual control group n = 49). They completed the pretest questionnaires (distress [negative functional and dysfunctional emotions], rational, and irrational cognitions), then they were offered to play the trial version of the REThink game, and after that, two specific levels focused on relaxation with mindfulness abilities, and on cognitive change emotion-regulation abilities. After completing the game, students in the REThink game with guidance received email support aimed to help them implement the skills learned in the game. Results: Results showed medium effect size improvements for the REThink game without guidance group compared to the control group in terms of dysfunctional negative emotions and improvements in irrational cognitions for both experimental groups compared to the control group. Conclusion: So far, the REThink therapeutic game proved to be a promising innovative, efficient, and highly accessible intervention for helping students manage distress. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04763954.

رابطه فعالیت گرایی هیپومانیا، ضعف روحیه و هیجانات منفی مختل‌کننده مبتنی بر فرم بازسازی‌شده پرسشنامه شخصیتی چندوجهی مینه‌سوتا-2 (MMPI-2RF) در اضطراب، افسردگی و انگیزش جنسی مبتلایان به اختلالات عملکرد جنسی

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of Hypomanic Activation, Demoralization and Dysfunctional Negative Emotions Based on the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory-2-restructured form (MMPI-2RF) in anxiety, depression and sexual motivation of people with sexual dysfunction. This descriptive correlational study was performed on all persons with sexual dysfunction who referred to counseling centers and medical clinics in Mashhad for treatment of sexual problems. The sample included 336 individuals. An available sampling method was used to select the sample. Data were collected using the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory-2-restructured form (MMPI-2RF) and the multidimensional sexual problems questionnaire (subscale of anxiety, depression and sexual motivation). Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used to investigate the research hypotheses using SPSS-22 software. Findings showed that there was a significant positive correlation between hypomanic activation, demoralization and dysfunctional negative emotions with anxiety and sexual depression and a negative significant relationship with sexual motivation (p < 0.01). In addition, it was found that hypomanic activation, demoralization and dysfunctional negative emotions explained 22% of the variance in sexual anxiety (R Square= 0.22). It was also found that 23% of the variance in sexual depression is explained by hypomanic activation and demoralization. Hypomanic activation and demoralization also account for 14% of the variance in sexual motivation. The findings of the present study indicate the role of hypomanic activation, demoralization and dysfunctional negative emotions in anxiety, depression and sexual motivation in patients with sexual dysfunction.

Effectiveness of the REThink therapeutic online video game in promoting mental health in children and adolescents

Although evidence-based interventions exist, estimates suggest that about 60% percent of children and adolescents with mental health disorders do not receive the treatment they need. In this context, one expanding strategy for increasing access to mental health care for children and adolescents is the use therapeutic, or serious, games. REThink is one such therapeutic game, developed to offer a CBT-based prevention that was documented in a controlled trial to develop psychological resilience in children and adolescents, aged between 10 and 16, helping them learn healthy strategies for coping with dysfunctional negative emotions such as anxiety, anger and depression. This study aims to test the effectiveness of the REThink therapeutic online video game in promoting emotional health in children and adolescents in a pilot study.Participants (N = 31), aged between 10 and 16 years, were recruited on a volunteer basis from a school. Emotional problems, irrational beliefs, negative automatic thoughts, rational beliefs, and problem solving abilities were assessed pre- and post-using the therapeutic game. We also measured participants' satisfaction with the game. Results obtained show improvements in terms of emotional problems of the youths, their irrational beliefs, negative automatic thoughts and high levels of intervention satisfaction. of this study are in support of the previous findings suggesting that the REThink online game can be a valuable tool for large-scale mental health efforts aimed at the prevention of emotional disorders in children and adolescents, in accordance with evidence-based prevention protocols.

Cognitive Patterns and Coping Mechanisms in the Context of Internet Use

Recent research indicates there are different cognitive patterns and coping mechanisms related to increased levels of Internet use and emotional distress in adolescents. This study aims to investigate the relationship between coping mechanisms, dysfunctional negative emotions, and Internet use. A total of 54 participants aged between 14 and 19 years old completed a questionnaire containing several measures and demographics information. We measured participants’ coping strategies, emotional distress, social and emotional loneliness, and their online behavior and Internet addiction using self-report questionnaires. In order to identify the relation between the investigated variables, we used correlation analysis and regression, and we tested one mediation model. The results showed that maladaptive coping strategies and Internet use were significant predictors of dysfunctional negative emotions. Moreover, passive wishful thinking, as a pattern of thinking, was associated with anxious and depressed feelings. The relation between Internet use and dysfunctional negative emotions was mediated by participants’ coping mechanisms. Therefore, we can conclude that the level of negative feelings is associated with the coping strategies used while showing an increased level of Internet addiction. Future studies should also consider different and multiple types of measurement other than self-reports, especially related to Internet addiction.

Six-year bariatric surgery outcomes: the predictive and incremental validity of presurgical psychological testing.

Research identifying preoperative psychosocial predictors of bariatric surgery outcomes has yielded inconsistent results with minimal examination of longer-term outcomes. Utilizing a broadband measure of personality and psychopathology during the preoperative evaluation helps to identify preoperative risk factors for suboptimal bariatric surgery outcomes. Examine predictors of outcome and the incremental contribution of presurgical psychological testing to various long-term bariatric surgery outcomes. Academic medical center. A total of 168 postoperative patients (average of 6 postoperative years) consented to participate in the outcome study. Participants were weighed by the trained research/clinical staff and completed a battery of self-report questionnaires, including measures assessing eating attitudes and behaviors and weight-related quality-of-life (QoL). Patients had completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) as part of the institution's routine preoperative psychosocial evaluation. Weight loss was calculated as percent total weight loss (%TWL) and percent weight regain (%WR) was calculated as a percentage of maximum weight loss. Other preoperative data were obtained from a review of each patient's electronic medical record (EMR). From the initial sample, 145 patients were retained for analyses in the present study. Preoperative problematic eating variables predicted long-term postoperative problematic eating behaviors and body image concerns. Scores on preoperative MMPI-2-RF scales measuring Demoralization, Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Antisocial Behaviors, and Hypomanic Activation were consistent incremental predictors of 6-year outcomes, accounting for an additional 3%-24% of the variability in postoperative eating behaviors and QoL. The preoperative psychological evaluation can be used to identify predictors of long-term bariatric surgery outcomes. Identification of these risk factors provides important targets for pre- and postoperative clinical interventions to maximize surgical outcomes.

The Role of Functional and Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Resilience and Mindfulness in Well-Being

The Role of Functional and Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Resilience and Mindfulness in Well-Being

Association between personality type, affective distress profile and quality of life in patients with psoriasis vs. patients with cardiovascular disease.

Common chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and psoriasis, are associated with increased psychological distress. Health-related quality of life and personality type in patients with these two diseases were evaluated, including the patient's ability to respond truthfully or his/her tendency to be introverted or extroverted. The subjects (n=63) responded to questionnaires including: SF-36 questionnaire, Eysenck test and the questionnaire of the affective distress profile designed to assess the subjective dimension of functional negative emotions, dysfunctional negative emotions and positive emotions. Psoriasis patients had significantly higher average scores of physical functions and limitations brought on by emotional problems. Emotional instability was common for both types of patients and anxiety was associated with a low level of education. Overall, we believe that it is necessary to include items evaluating the patients' affective profile and personality in the assessment protocols of these diseases. These items could help the clinician in identifying possible factors that signal worsening of the disease or of non-response to treatment.

MMPI-2Dx restructured clinical scale-based psychopathology among opioid dependence inmates in class IIA correctional facility Denpasar

Substance users, especially those with dependence, have been demonstrated to have a high rate of mental disorder comorbidities. The substance used might have significant effects on the occurrence of psychopathology. This research aimed at decribing opioid users psychopathology based on the MMPI-2 Dx restructured clinical (RC) scale and its correlation with dependence among inmates of Class IIA Correctional Facility Denpasar. An analytic observational research with a cross sectional design was conducted. A number of 70 inmates presented to the Class IIA Correctional Facility clinic who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. They were screened with MMPI-2Dx. Chi Square test was conducted to determine the correlation and the amount of psychopathology in the opioid dependent and non-dependent groups. Significant difference was set at P of <0.05. Significant opioid dependence was found to correlate with psychopathology as revealed by MMPI-2Dx restructured clinical scale, and this included the subscales RC4 (p 0.00), RC7 (p 0.002), RC8 (p 0.0014), RC9 (p 0.026) dan RCd (p 0.037). No significant correlation was found for other subscales such as RC1 (p 0.339), RC2 (p 0.393), RC3 (p 0.216) and RC6 (p 0.127). Opioid dependent subjects had 7.6 times higher chance (OR 7,667) of having psychopathology compared to nondependent ones. These psychopathologies included demoralization, antisocial behavior, aberrant experiences, dysfunctional negative emotions dan hypomanic activation.

EMOTIONS AND WORK BURNOUT FROM THE REBT PERSPECTIVE: A SHORT–TERM PROSPECTIVE STUDY

The main objective of the study was to test REBT model of emo- tion in prediction of burnout. It was hypothesized that dysfunc- tional negative emotions (DNE) would positively predict burnout, positive emotions (PE) would negatively predict buronut, while functional negative emotions (FNE) were hypothesized to be un- correlated to burnout. To test those assumptions, a short‒term, 12 week prospective study was carried out (three measurements, with the interval of 6 weeks). A sample of 197 employees took part in the first measurement (60.3% women); however, due to sample attrition, 113 (64.6% women) underwent all three meas- urements (Little’s MCAR test n.s., which indicates that the data were missing completely at random). Respondents completed the Work burnout scale from the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, and the Inventory of functional and dysfunctional emotions. It has been shown that the reversed causal model displayed greater fit indices in comparison with the causal model, meaning that it is more likely that burnout will lead to subsequent emotions than vice‒versa. What is more interesting is that in fact burnout had a stronger (although very similar) impact on FNE than it did on DNE. However, when measured simultaneously, it appears that the experience of emotions has greater effect on burnout than vice‒versa. Moreover, in cross‒sectional analysis (at Time 3), FNE had a greater (although very similar) unique effect on burn- out than did DNE. In Time 2, only DNE exerted significant effect on burnout. Finally, PE largely did not predict burnout. The results were discussed in the context of REBT model of emotions. The limitations of the study were also highlighted and discussed.

Psychological Correlates of Body Image Dissatisfaction Before and After Bariatric Surgery

Purpose: Identify psychological factors associated with body image dissatisfaction (BID) before, 3 months, and 6+ months after bariatric surgery. Methods: Bariatric patients (n = 444) completed a preoperative interview, 3 month and/or 6+ month postoperative psychology appointment, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). Scales measuring generalized distress, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem were examined. Medical records were reviewed for demographics and current psychiatric diagnoses. Results: Preoperative BID was associated with higher scores on MMPI-2-RF scales of Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction, Demoralization, Low Positive Emotions, Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Self-Doubt, Inefficacy, Anxiety, and Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism, in addition to a diagnosis of depression and eating disorder not otherwise specified. Patients who reported BID at 3 months scored higher on MMPI-2-RF scales of Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction, Demoralization, Ideas of Persecution, Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Self-Doubt, Inefficacy, and Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism, and were more likely to have a depression or anxiety diagnosis. No psychiatric diagnoses or MMPI-2-RF scales were predictive of BID 6+ months after bariatric surgery. Conclusions: Bariatric candidates experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and disturbed eating at preoperative evaluation are more likely to report BID before and after bariatric surgery. Future research should consider the limitations of long-term follow-up in this study to advance the field forward.

Controlling anxiety and stress in ski-biathlon athletes using EmWave2

This study determines whether mental training, by applying specific techniques that influence certain psychological factors, is able to optimise performance in biathlon ski. The aim of this study is to modify dysfunctional negative emotions during competition and reduce stress and anxiety at biathlon skiing through mental training. The experimental series comprised 2 x 15 skiers from two clubs. The EmWave2device is used, which gives bio-feedback about the physiological indicators of the body, taking into account three levels of consistency such as low LH, medium MH and high HH. These were observed as: Group I – statistically high significant differences between at least two levels (p &lt; 0.01) and Group II – intense statistically significant differences between at least two levels (p &lt; 0.001). The test scores show that applying mental training lowers anxiety technique issues. The statistical differences observed between the two groups were intensely significant (p &lt; 0.001). Keywords: Skiing - biathlon, stress, anxiety, cardiac rhythm, sport performance.

Surgery type and psychosocial factors contribute to poorer weight loss outcomes in persons with a body mass index greater than 60 kg/m2

BackgroundThe current investigation aims to predict 3-year postoperative percent total weight loss among a sample of bariatric surgery patients with super-super obesity. ObjectivePrevious research implies that persons with presurgical super-super obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥60 kg/m2) tend to have poorer loss outcomes compared with those with a lower presurgical BMI after bariatric surgery. SettingCleveland Clinic, Bariatric & Metabolic Institute, Cleveland, OH. MethodsBariatric surgery candidates (N = 1231; 71.9% female; 65.8% Caucasian) completed a presurgical psychological evaluation and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2–Restructured Form. Participants with a baseline BMI ≥60 (n = 164) were compared with BMI<60 (n = 1067) on psychosocial and demographic factors, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2–Restructured Form, and in the subset that had surgery (n = 870), percent total weight loss extending to the 3-year follow-up. ResultsPatients with a BMI ≥60 were younger, less educated, and more likely to be male compared with lower BMI patients. Patients with a BMI ≥60 had greater psychosocial sequelae as evidenced by being more likely to have a history of sexual abuse, history of psychiatric hospitalization, more binge eating episodes, and higher prevalence of major depression disorder and binge eating disorder. On the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2–Restructured Form, those with BMI ≥60 reported greater demoralization, low positive emotions, ideas of persecution, and dysfunctional negative emotions. After controlling for surgery type, weight loss for individuals with BMI ≥60 did not greatly differ from weight loss in patients with BMI<60. Variables predictive of less weight loss at 3 years regardless of presurgical BMI, included being older, having a sexual abuse history, and higher ideas of persecution scores. ConclusionAlthough patients with BMI ≥60 evidenced more psychopathology before surgery, findings suggest that the relationship between higher BMI and poorer outcome may better be explained by other co-morbid factors.

Mapping the MMPI–2–RF Substantive Scales Onto Internalizing, Externalizing, and Thought Dysfunction Dimensions in a Forensic Inpatient Setting

ABSTRACTContemporary models of psychopathology—encompassing internalizing, externalizing, and thought dysfunction factors—have gained significant support. Although research indicates the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form (MMPI–2–RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008/2011) measures these domains of psychopathology, this study addresses extant limitations in MMPI–2–RF diagnostic validity research by examining associations between all MMPI–2–RF substantive scales and broad dichotomous indicators of internalizing, externalizing, and thought dysfunction diagnoses in a sample of 1,110 forensic inpatients. Comparing those with and without internalizing diagnoses, notable effects were observed for Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism–Revised (NEGE-r), Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction (EID), Dysfunctional Negative Emotions (RC7), Demoralization (RCd), and several other internalizing and somatic/cognitive scales. Comparing those with and without thought dysfunction diagnoses, the largest hypothesized differences occurred for Thought Dysfunction (THD), Aberrant Experiences (RC8), and Psychoticism–Revised (PSYC-r), although unanticipated differences were observed on internalizing and interpersonal scales, likely reflecting the high prevalence of internalizing dysfunction in forensic inpatients not experiencing thought dysfunction. Comparing those with and without externalizing diagnoses, the largest effects were for Substance Abuse (SUB), Antisocial Behavior (RC4), Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction (BXD), Juvenile Conduct Problems (JCP), and Disconstraint–Revised (DISC-r). Multivariate models evidenced similar results. Findings support the construct validity of MMPI–2–RF scales as measures of internalizing, thought, and externalizing dysfunction.

Empirical Identification of Psychological Symptom Subgroups of Sex Addicts: An Application of Latent Profile Analysis

The current study utilized latent profile analysis (LPA) to uncover discrete classes of sex addicts based upon psychological symptom profiles. An LPA was conducted with sex addicts in residential treatment (N = 222, 95.5% male, 92.3% Caucasian), using scores from the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) as indicators of class membership. The LPA yielded evidence for 5 latent classes in this sample of sex addicts. Based upon class average PAI scale profiles, the following labels for the classes were suggested: Class 1—No Comorbid Psychopathology (22.8% of the sample), Class 2—Dysfunctional Negative Emotions (14.9%), Class 3—Mild Depression and Substance-Related Problems (38.1%), Class 4—Clinical Depression and Anxiety (18.8%), and Class 5—Severe Psychopathology (5.6%). It is noteworthy that Classes 1 and 2 (37.7% of the sample), had PAI profiles that were not clinically significant, and thus are unlikely to have other disorders, whereas the mean PAI scores for Classes 4 and 5 indicate that members of these classes are highly likely to present with other diagnosable psychological disorders, especially mood and anxiety disorders. Class 3 is somewhere in between, with likely clinically significant issues with depression, anxiety, and substance-related problems, but which may be in the subthreshold range for a comorbid diagnosis. The results highlight the importance of broad-band psychological assessment to facilitate treatment planning for sex addicts.

Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory‐2 restructured form (MMPI‐2‐RF) scale score differences in bariatric surgery candidates diagnosed with binge eating disorder versus BMI‐matched controls

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is among the most common psychiatric disorders in bariatric surgery candidates. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is a broadband, psychological test that includes measures of emotional and behavioral dysfunction, which have been associated with BED behaviors in bariatric surgery candidates; however these studies have lacked appropriate controls. In the current study, we compared MMPI-2-RF scale scores of bariatric surgery patients diagnosed with BED (BED+) with BMI-matched controls without BED (BED-). Three-hundred and seven BED+ participants (72.64% female and 67.87% Caucasian; mean BMI of 51.36 kg/m(2) [SD = 11.94]) were drawn from a large, database (N = 1304). Three-hundred and seven BED- participants were matched on BMI and demographics (72.64% female, 68.63% Caucasian, and mean BMI of 51.30 kg/m(2) [SD = 11.70]). The BED+ group scored significantly higher on measures of Demoralization, Low Positive Emotions, and Dysfunctional Negative Emotions and scored lower on measures of Antisocial Behaviors, reflecting behavioral constraint. Optimal T-Score cutoffs were below the traditional 65 T score for several MMPI-2-RF scales. MMPI-2-RF externalizing measures also added incrementally to differentiating between the groups beyond the Binge Eating Scale (BES). BED+ individuals produced greater elevations on a number of MMPI-2-RF internalizing scales and externalizing scales. Use of the test in conjunction with a clinical interview and other self-report data can further aid the clinician in guiding patients to appropriate treatment to optimize outcome.