Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Validity Research Articles

A comparison of MMPI-2 validity in African American and Caucasian psychiatric inpatients.

This study investigated ethnic differences on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) in 229 African American and 1,558 Caucasian psychiatric inpatients. Mean differences were found on several MMPI-2 validity and clinical scales. These were generally consistent with differences between the groups, indicated by the available extratest criterion data. To identify potential bias, the authors conducted 65 step-down hierarchical multiple regression analyses, predicting conceptually relevant clinical criteria from either MMPI-2 clinical or content scales for each gender. A number of MMPI-2 scales evidenced bias reflecting minor underprediction of psychopathology in African Americans. It is important to note that, in almost all cases, the magnitude of these differences was small and not clinically significant.

The detection of feigned uncoached and coached posttraumatic stress disorder with the MMPI-2 in a sample of workplace accident victims.

In this study research participants completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) under standard instructions and then were asked to fake posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when completing the MMPI-2 for a 2nd time in 1 of 4 conditions with different instructions on how to fake PTSD: (a) uncoached, (b) coached about PTSD symptom information, (c) coached about MMPI-2 validity scales, or (d) coached about both symptoms and validity scales. These MMPI-2 protocols were then compared with protocols of claimants with workplace accident-related PTSD. Participants given information about the validity scales were the most successful in avoiding detection as faking. The family of F scales (i.e., F, FB, FP), particularly FP, produced consistently high rates of positive and negative predictive power.

The relationship of maternal personality characteristics to birth outcomes and infant development.

Previous studies reported an association between maternal psychological factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships between maternal personality characteristics, as determined by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and infant birth outcomes and development. The inventory was administered during pregnancy to 638 pregnant women enrolled in a staff model health maintenance organization. MMPI validity as well as clinical and research scales were evaluated in relationship to infant birth outcomes (low birthweight, preterm birth) and 15-month-old infant development as assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Mothers of low birthweight infants scored significantly lower on the hypochondriasis scale, a relationship which was no longer significant after controlling for ethnicity. No other relationships were observed between infant birth outcomes and maternal MMPI scale scores. A higher infant Mental Developmental Index (MDI) was related to higher maternal masculinity-femininity and ego-strength scale scores and lower lie and hypochondriasis scale scores. Only the relationship between infant MDI and maternal masculinity-femininity scale score remained significant after controlling for ethnicity and socioeconomic index (beta = 0.104, p = 0.036). Maternal personality characteristics, as determined by the MMPI, did not appear to be significantly related to the occurrence of preterm birth or low birthweight in this healthy, general population. Maternal personality characteristics reflected in the MMPI masculinity-femininity scale appeared to be related to infant mental development, above and beyond the effects of socioeconomic status and ethnicity.

Using IRT to separate measurement bias from true group differences on homogeneous and heterogeneous scales: an illustration with the MMPI.

The authors present a didactic illustration of how item response theory (IRT) can be used to separate measurement bias from true group differences on homogeneous and heterogeneous scales. Several bias detection methods are illustrated with 12 unidimensional Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) factor scales (Waller, 1999) and the 13 multidimensional MMPI validity and clinical scales. The article begins with a brief review of MMPI bias research and nontechnical reviews of the 2-parameter logistic model (2-PLM) and several IRT-based methods for bias detection. A goal of this article is to demonstrate that homogeneous and heterogeneous scales that are composed of biased items do not necessarily yield biased test scores. To that end, the authors perform differential item- and test-functioning analyses on the MMPI factor, validity, and clinical scales using data from 511 Blacks and 1,277 Whites from the California Youth Authority.

Compensation-seeking and extreme exaggeration of psychopathology among combat veterans evaluated for posttraumatic stress disorder.

We extended the work of Smith and Frueh (1996) by evaluating whether combat veterans classified as "extreme exaggerators" were more likely to be compensation-seeking, and to report greater levels of psychopathology across self-report instruments than "nonexaggerators." Of 119 veterans who completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) at an outpatient posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) clinic, 26 (22%) and 17 (14%) were identified as extreme exaggerators using two MMPI-2 validity indicators with stringent cutoffs (F-K > or = 22; F(p) > or = 8). These veterans were much more likely to be compensation seeking and scored much higher on self-report measures of various psychological symptoms than nonexaggerators, despite having lower rates of PTSD diagnoses and similar rates of other comorbid diagnoses. Findings suggest that the validity indices of the MMPI-2 can play a critical role, as a screening instrument, in identifying veterans who may be exaggerating their psychopathology to gain disability compensation.

Trait versus state aspects of the MMPI during the early course of schizophrenia

Scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-168 item version were examined during periods of clinical remission and of psychosis for recent-onset schizophrenia patients ( n=19) and at comparable time intervals for demographically matched normal participants ( n=19). To determine diagnostic specificity, MMPIs for participants with bipolar affective disorder in remission ( n=12) were also examined. Methods for distinguishing between stable vulnerability indicators, mediating vulnerability factors and episode indicators of psychopathology were adapted from Nuechterlein and Dawson, 1984. MMPI scales Pa, Sc and validity scale F showed a combination of trait and state qualities, characteristic of mediating vulnerability factors. These scales reflect changes that occur during psychotic episodes but also apparently tap personality characteristics that endure into periods of clinical remission. Unexpectedly, some MMPI scales that are not typically associated with psychotic disorders (i.e. Hs, D, and Hy) were significantly higher in schizophrenia patients across psychotic and clinically remitted states than in normal participants. In clinical remission, higher scores on scales Hs, D and Hy, showed some specificity to schizophrenia relative to bipolar disorder. While MMPI-168 scales Pd and Pt fit the pattern for vulnerability indicators, it was uncertain whether they belonged to the stable versus mediating subtype. MMPI scores that continue to be higher in remission than in a normal sample may reflect either enduring vulnerability factors or the impact of schizophrenia and the individuals attempts to cope with the disorder. Studies of first-degree relatives will be needed to provide converging evidence that certain personality characteristics reflect genetic predisposition to schizophrenia.

A Racial Comparison of Combat Veterans Evaluated for PTSD

This study attempted to replicate the work of Frueh, Smith, and Libet (1996), which showed racial differences on psychological measures of dissociation/thought disturbance and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) F-K index in combat veterans evaluated for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD, a fixed-response format version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-FRF), and MMPI-2 prior to treatment at a Veterans Affairs hospital outpatient PTSD clinic. Contrary to expectation, significant racial differences on the DES-FRF, MMPI-2 validity scales, and MMPI-2 Scales 6 and 8 were not found. Consistent with the previous study, no racial differences on measures of anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptomatology were found; nor were there racial differences on clinician ratings of global assessment of functioning or on most categories of psychiatric diagnoses. This suggests that Black and White combat veterans evaluated for PTSD do not differ with regard to reported manifestation or severity of psychopathology.

Compensation seeking status and psychometric assessment of combat veterans seeking treatment for PTSD.

Examined differences between compensation seeking (CS) veterans and noncompensation seeking (NCS) veterans on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and other psychological measures in 142 combat veterans evaluated for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at an outpatient Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital PTSD clinic. Patients were grouped on the basis of their compensation seeking status, with 69% classified as CS for PTSD. The CS veterans achieved significantly more pathological scores across a wide range of psychological inventories and MMPI-2 validity indices, although they did not differ in frequency of PTSD diagnoses from NCS veterans. Implications of these findings are discussed, and clinicians are advised to be aware of the compensation seeking status of combat-veterans being evaluated for PTSD.

Can psychosis be malingered on the Rorschach? An empirical study.

Can psychosis be faked on the Rorschach? We examined this question by comparing 2 groups of subjects with a high incentive to malinger, persons accused of serious crimes. All subjects were administered both the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Rorschach and were assigned to honest (N = 35) and malingered (N = 13) groups on the basis of MMPI validity scales. The Rorschach protocols of these 2 groups were compared to assess how successfully malingerers could deliberately produce records that appeared psychotic on empirically derived Rorschach indices of psychosis. Despite an attempt to portray themselves as psychotic on the MMPI, subjects in the malingered group did not differ from honest responders on Rorschach variables that distinguish psychotic from nonpsychotic patients, but did differ in the number of dramatic responses produced. Our data suggest that the combination of the MMPI and Rorschach provides a powerful psychometric technique for detecting deliberate malingering of psychosis.

Concurrent validity of the MCMI-II modifier indices.

The relationships between the three Modifier Indices (Disclosure X, Desirability Y, and Debasement Z) of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II) and the validity and clinical scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) were explored. A sample of 125 psychiatric inpatients was administered both personality measures within 7 days of admission. The pattern of Pearson correlation coefficients and principal component factors was seen as generally supporting the validity of the three MCMI-II Modifier Indices. However, the Disclosure and Debasement Indices were highly intercorrelated and similar in their MMPI-2 associations. The Desirability Index functioned in a more unique manner and demonstrated both convergent and divergent relationships with MMPI-2 Validity and Clinical scales.

Validity of the MMPI Subtle Items

This article presents a review and critique of research on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) subtle items in regard to their validity as measures of their scales' characteristics. The main categories of focus are their convergent and discriminative validity, the paradoxical effect, and the issue of whether removing these items would improve MMPI validity. Important problems in the methodologies are noted and discussed in some detail. These methodological concerns and the conflicting results across studies obscure firm conclusions on the validity of the subtle items, although strong support is lacking. However, more evidence is needed before deciding to remove these items from the MMPI; therefore, this article provides recommendations for future research.

Failed back surgeries and minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI) profiles

MMPI profiles were evaluated for 105 prospective surgical patients who had previously undergone surgery or other procedures for treatment of back pain. Patients were classified into groups having undergone zero, one, two, three, or four or more previous surgeries. While all groups demonstrated a characteristicsomatogenic profile, none of the MMPI validity or clinical scales significantly differentiated the groups and there was no relationship between increased number of surgeries and MMPI scale characteristics. These results support the nonoptimistic prognostication of thesomatogenic MMPI profile for surgical intervention for back pain but show no clear relationship of MMPI profile characteristics to degree of experience of previously failed surgery.

Low-end specificity of the Beck Depression Inventory

Selection of nondysphoric control subjects on the basis of low Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores has become a methodological issue in depression research. Therefore, we examined these questions: (1) Do current selection criteria result in a nondysphoric control group, a subsample of which is characterized by denial, psychopathic, or hypomanic tendencies? (2) Is there an identifiable subgroup of low scorers in which tendencies toward denial, psychopathy, or hypomania are particularly salient? Undergraduates completed the BDI and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). As predicted, the proportion of subjects who were elevated on MMPI validity scales was higher in the low-end sample than in dysphorics, and higher in very low scorers than in other low-end subjects. Low-end subjects did not score higher than other subjects on MMPI Psychopathic Deviate (MMPI-Pd) and MMPI Hypomania (MMPI-Ma) subscales. Suggestions for obviating problems associated with low-end specificity are offered.

Effects of two types of information on malingering of closed head injury on the MMPI-2: An analog investigation.

The impact of detailed information on closed-head injury (CHI) and/or the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) validity scales on malingering of psychological symptoms of CHI on the MMPI-2 was investigated. In an analog investigation using college student Ss, experimental malingerers produced reliably different MMPI-2 protocols relative to controls answering honestly. Experimental malingerers were divided into 4 groups on the basis of the complete crossing of 2 factors: CHI information (present/absent) and MMPI-2 validity scale information (VAL; present/absent). No two-way interactions were noted, but main effects for both factors were found on several MMPI-2 clinical and validity scales

The evaluation of truthfulness in alleged sex offenders' self-reports: 16PF and MMPI validity scales.

The evaluation of response bias (i.e., minimization or exaggeration) is central to forensic psychological evaluations. Yet few studies have assessed forensic samples to investigate the ability of psychological tests to detect response bias. We studied the relationship between the Sixteen Personality Factors Questionnaire (16PF) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) validity scales for 65 alleged sex offenders and assessed the effects of different cutoff scores for the 16PF validity scales. Results indicate consistent significant correlations between the validity scales of the 16PF and the MMPI for measures of minimization and exaggeration. use of a priori cutoff scores resulted in the classification of our sample in proportions parallel to those found in previous research for the 16PF Fake-Good scale but not the Fake-Bad scale. Our results indicate that 16PF validity scales are useful, but interpretations must take into account different base rates of response bias between sex offenders and the general population.

Person reliability on the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory

This study examined the predictability of change in people's test scores from one administration of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to another. Specifically, novel indices of between-occasion person reliability were developed and evaluated. Subjects were 96 male inmates from various Canadian Penitentiaries who completed the MMPI on two occasions separated by an average of 2.71 years. Respondents' protocols were scored on nine between-occasion and two within-occasion consistency measures, and on the four MMPI validity scales. Results showed high stability for the group mean profiles and modest stability for code types. The profile analysis identified the shape parameter as the most important index of similarity. Between-occasion measures showed weak intercorrelations, further supporting a multidimensional conceptualization of person reliability. Finally, within-occasion measures and the validity scales could predict between-occasion person reliability indices (except for change in the higher order codes) but different subsets of predictors emerged for different between-occasion measures. Theoretical and clinical implications of these results are discussed.

Psychometric Stability of Rewritten MMPI Items

The current form of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) has been in use for over 50 years with no revisions in its item content or wording. As part of the MMPI Restandardization Project (Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer 1989), 82 of the original items were rewritten. Subjects in this study were administered either the original booklet twice to serve as a baseline or the original and the experimental form (MMPI-AX) in a counterbalanced order. Comparisons were made between the percentage of subjects who responded similarly to the two administrations of the original items and the percentage of subjects responding similarly to the original and rewritten versions of the items. Of the 82 items, only 9 changed significantly and only for one gender. None of the correlations between these 9 items and the MMPI validity, clinical, or special scales they are scored on changed significantly for the rewritten items as compared with the original items.

Acculturation and the MMPI Performance of Chicano and Anglo College Students

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and an acculturation inventory consisting of 15 semantic differential and sociocultural items were administered to Chicano college students. Factor analysis produced a four-dimensional measure of acculturation. The multivariate relationships between the multidimensional measure of acculturation and MMPI validity and clinical scales were investigated by means of canonical correlational analysis. Two of the canonical correlations were significant. Differences in language use, generation and citizenship of head of household (Nationality-Language factor) were related to differences on L, Hs, and MF scales, with less acculturated subjects scoring higher on L and Hs scales and lower on the MF scale. Differences in socioeconomic status (SES factor) and attitudes toward the concept "male" (Male-Potency factor) were related to differences on L, K, and Pd scales, with less acculturated students scoring lower on L and K, and higher on Pd. Implications for future cross-cultural research and the difficulties in the psychological assessment of the heterogeneous Chicano population are discussed.