Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Scales Research Articles

Can Pre-Transplant Psychometric Testing Predict Tacrolimus Intrapatient Variability After Living Kidney Transplantation?

Tacrolimus intrapatient variability (Tac IPV) has been considered a marker for post-graft risk. We investigated pre-transplant psychometric testing to predict Tac IPV after living kidney transplantation. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) examined during pre-transplant evaluation by 102 recipients were analyzed. Subjects were divided into two groups, low IPV (L-IPV) and high IPV (H-IPV), by cutoffs of Tac IPV: median of 24 and value of 30. T-scores of MMPI-2 scales were used to analyze difference between L-IPV and H-IPV using independent t-tests. Stepwise multiple logistic regression was used to test whether MMPI-2 scales affected Tac IPV. Confusion matrix of logistic regression was used to explain statistical power. Cutoff values of significant scales for H-IPV were analyzed by constructing receiver operating characteristic curves. Hysteria (Hy) and depression (D) scale scores and Tac IPV were associated in IPV 24 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.08, p<0.01 for Hy; OR: 0.93, p<0.01 for D) and IPV 30 models (OR: 1.09, p<0.01 for Hy; OR: 0.92, p<0.01 for D). Paranoia (Pa) scale scores were associated with Tac IPV in IPV 24 model (OR=1.10, p<0.01) and were significantly higher in H-IPV 24 (p<0.01). F1 scores of confusion matrix in IPV 24 and 30 models were 0.70 and 0.71, respectively. Cutoffs of Hy, D, and Pa scales were 51, 57, and 47, respectively. MMPI-2 profile is suggested as a predictor for high Tac IPV after living kidney transplantation.

Psychopathology of latent toxoplasmosis in infected individuals: roles of age, duration of infection, and sex

Background. The present study examined the relationship between latent toxoplasmosis and mental disorders. Methods. The sample included 117 toxoplasma-positive volunteers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Data were collected online using the 71-item abbreviated form of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Results. According to the results, a) the psychological profile of latent toxoplasmosis patients in the eight clinical scales of MMPI was within the normal range; b) in the male group, ‘duration of infection’ significantly predicted the scores for the four clinical scales of depression, psychopathic deviate, psychasthenia, and schizophrenia; also, ‘age’ predicted the scores for hypochondriasis and schizophrenia in men; c) in the female group, only ‘age’ was able to predict the scores for the scales of hysteria, paranoia, mental weakness, and social deviance; and d) there was no significant difference between male and female groups in any of the clinical scales. Conclusion. Duration of infection with latent toxoplasmosis was associated with depression, psychopathtic deviation, psychasthenia, and schizophrenia in infected males, but this was not the case for the infected females in any of the clinical scales of the 71-item abbreviated form of MMPI. Practical Implications. In mental health screening of individuals with latent toxoplasmosis, males should be screened on the scales of depression, psychopathtic deviation, psychasthenia, and schizophrenia according to the increase in the duration of infection.

A Study on the Factors Affecting Anger in Patients With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

To identify the factors affecting anger in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients who underwent Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent CAPS and MMPI-2 at Veteran Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Based on the CAPS score, the patients were divided into the PTSD group (n=46) and the trauma exposed without PTSD group (n=29). After checking the correlation between anger, CAPS, and MMPI-2 scales, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for clinically relevant symptoms. The PTSD group showed significant differences in schizophrenia-related symptoms, ideas of persecution, aggressiveness, psychoticism, and anger scales compared to the trauma-exposed without PTSD group. There was a significant correlation between anger, CAPS, and MMPI-2 except masculinity/femininity, disconstraint, and MacAndrew Alcoholism-Revised. In particular, anger has been shown to have a substantial connection with paranoia, schizophrenia-related symptoms, ideas of persecution, aberrant experiences, and psychoticism. Multiple regression analysis identified that the only significant risk factor for anger was the negative emotionality/neuroticism scale (odds ratio=1.152, p<0.001). The PTSD group had increased anger compared to the trauma-exposed without PTSD group, and that negative emotions may be a risk factor for PTSD.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ СТРУКТУРЫ ПАРНЫХ КОРРЕЛЯЦИЙ МЕЖДУ ПСИХОЛОГИЧЕСКИМИ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЯМИ В РАЗНОВЕЛИКИХ ВЫБОРКАХ

Purpose: To propose a procedure for comparative analysis of correlation relationships structure between psychological scales in samples of different sizes.&#x0D; Material and methods: A procedure of comparative analysis of correlation relationships structure between psychological indicators in groups of different sizes based on the «zet» method of R. Fisher is proposed. To illustrate the method, data from psychodiagnostic surveys of the nuclear power plant (NPP) personnel who worked in normal conditions and the personnel of the Chernobyl NPP at four different stages of aftermath activities in 1986–1987 were used. All the subjects performed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI); the results of each of the groups were subjected to a correlation analysis using the Pearson method. The analysis took into account average (0.5 ≤ r &lt; 0.7) and strong (r ≥ 0.7) correlations.&#x0D; Results: Using the example of a number of psychodiagnostic examinations of the Chernobyl NPP personnel at various stages of aftermath activities, it is shown that the structure of correlation relationships between the MMPI scales can reflect the peculiarities of mental adaptation of professional teams working in regular and extreme conditions.&#x0D; It was shown that in the aftermath process by March–April 1987, the number of medium and strong pairwise Pearson correlations between the clinical MMPI scales increased. This fact apparently indicates that during this period, the NPP personnel were characterized by the simultaneous activation of various mechanisms of intrapsychic adaptation. The core of the correlation pleiad consisted of scales 1, 2, 7, and 8. Such a multidirectional reaction to the aftermath stressors was accompanied by a statistically significant increase in almost all clinical scales (except scale 6) of the average MMPI profile in comparison with the control group. The absence of stable correlations of clinical scales with the F scale indicates that the marked increase in the MMPI profile was not associated with a tendency to aggravation.&#x0D; By the period of November–December 1987, the hypochondria scale occupied a leading place in the correlation pleiad of the MMPI indicators of the Chernobyl NPP personnel, the number of its significant connections with other clinical scales (2, 3, 7 and 8) reached four. Apparently, the mechanism of anxiety somatization at that time could be considered as a syndrome-forming factor and taken into account when planning rehabilitation and health measures.&#x0D; Conclusion: The use of the proposed method of the strength standardization of pairwise correlation relationships between the MMPI scales allowed us to legitimately compare these indicators in groups that differ significantly in number. The chosen representation form of correlations facilitates the analysis of their structure.

Hypochondriasis and Personality Traits of Patients with Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

Background: Plaque psoriasis has been associated with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and various personality traits. However, studies on hypochondriasis, i.e. the belief of serious illness despite having no or only mild symptoms, are currently scarce. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess hypochondriasis and personality traits in psoriasis patients using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Methods: We conducted an observational study on patients with plaque psoriasis who underwent MMPI-2 testing. Demographic and clinical data, including comorbidities, alcohol consumption, and smoking, were collected. Results: A total of 136 consecutive psoriatic patients were included. The mean age (±SD) was 53.7 (±13.5), mean PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) was 12.4 (±9.9), and mean disease duration was 23.3 (±15.7) years. Pathologically elevated scores in the Hypochondriasis scale were observed in 27.9% of patients. Furthermore, in a few other MMPI-2 scales (Anxiety, Fears and Negative Treatment Indicators) ≥25% of patients obtained pathologically elevated scores. Conversely, the scales that had the highest proportion of low scorers were Ego Strength and Dominance. At regression analysis, higher psoriasis severity and female gender were associated with higher scores in the Hypochondriasis scale (p = 0.03 and 0.001). Finally, 72.8% reported any alcohol consumption and 8.1% heavy alcohol consumption. Conclusion: About one third of patients with psoriasis have high scores in the MMPI-2 hypochondriasis evaluation scale. Poor individual coping resources also appeared to be distinctive psychological features in a significant proportion of psoriatic patients.

Detecting suicidal risk using MMPI-2 based on machine learning algorithm

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is a widely used tool for early detection of psychological maladjustment and assessing the level of adaptation for a large group in clinical settings, schools, and corporations. This study aims to evaluate the utility of MMPI-2 in assessing suicidal risk using the results of MMPI-2 and suicidal risk evaluation. A total of 7,824 datasets collected from college students were analyzed. The MMPI-2-Resturcutred Clinical Scales (MMPI-2-RF) and the response results for each question of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) suicidality module were used. For statistical analysis, random forest and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) techniques were used with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt as dependent variables and 50 MMPI-2 scale scores as predictors. On applying the random forest method to suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts, the accuracy was 92.9% and 95%, respectively, and the Area Under the Curves (AUCs) were 0.844 and 0.851, respectively. When the KNN method was applied, the accuracy was 91.6% and 94.7%, respectively, and the AUCs were 0.722 and 0.639, respectively. The study confirmed that machine learning using MMPI-2 for a large group provides reliable accuracy in classifying and predicting the subject's suicidal ideation and past suicidal attempts.

Psychometrics, interpretation and clinical implications of hierarchical models of psychopathology.

Psychometrics, interpretation and clinical implications of hierarchical models of psychopathology.

Pre-Employment MMPI-2 Measures and Later Psychological Injury-Related Absenteeism among Police Officers

Abstract Pre-employment screening to assess for psychological vulnerability is common in trauma-exposed occupations such as policing. However, the ability of such screening to predict those at increased risk of subsequent mental health problems has been questioned. The present study sought to investigate the ability of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) to predict absenteeism related to psychological injury in police officers. Pre-employment screening data from 1,399 sworn police officers was linked to organizational records. A total of 150 police officers who had taken at least 2 weeks’ sick leave with work-related mental health concerns were matched to 150 healthy controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine any association between MMPI-2 scales and psychological injury-related absenteeism. We found no evidence that elevations in the pre-employment MMPI-2 scores of police recruits were associated with an increased chance of future absenteeism as a result of psychological injury (P &amp;gt; 0.05). In addition, there was no evidence of an increased likelihood of psychological injury-related absenteeism among those with a higher number of positive pre-employment risk factors (P = 0.09). While the MMPI-2 may be able to predict different outcomes among police officers, it is important to note that based on these results, the MMPI-2, if used at pre-employment, is not able to predict later psychological injury-related absenteeism.

Personality profile of the primary blepharospasm (BSP): An investigation using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

ObjectiveTo explore whether patients with blepharospasm (BSP) have abnormal personality traits by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) questionnaire. MethodThe personality profiles of patients with BSP and its relationship with clinical characteristics were assessed in this research. 46 patients with BSP and 33 age-and-gender matched healthy controls were assessed using the MMPI questionnaire. The scores of three validity scales and ten clinical scales were calculated and compared. Then the relationship between those scales and clinical characteristics of patients with BSP was analyzed in the BSP group. ResultsIt was found that patients with BSP scored significantly higher than healthy controls on the D, Hy, Pt clinical scales. The peak values of profiles were Hy, D, Hs scale scores. However, there was no statistical relationship between the clinical scales of MMPI and the clinical characteristics of BSP after Bonferroni Correction. ConclusionThe findings indicated that MMPI could be a useful psychometric tool to characterize a specific pattern of the personality of BSP patients and BSP patients may have avoidant and somatization personality characteristics.

Experiments with Fuzzification of MMPI Profiles for the Classification Task

Abstract The paper is devoted to experiments with fuzzification of MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) profiles for the classification task. MMPI is a standardized psychometric test of adult personality and psychopathology. In our study, we have used a classifier built on the basis of fuzzy decision trees generated by means of the algorithm that uses cumulative information estimations of the initial data proposed by V. Levashenko et al. The main attention is focused on testing a variety of approaches to fuzzification of the MMPI scales that make up the profiles. Both several shapes of membership functions and different ways of divisions of scale ranges are considered.

Identifying non-affective psychosis in first admission patients: MMPI-2, structured diagnostic interview, and consensus lifetime best estimate

PurposeWe aimed to evaluate the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) as a potential means of improving on the SCID's diagnostic efficacy. Methods76 first-admission patients were assigned DSM-IV consensus diagnoses by two experienced psychiatrists using all available information, then dichotomized into non-affective psychosis and other mental illness groups. The patients were also given the SCID and the MMPI-2. The diagnostic performance of the MMPI-2 was compared to that of the SCID to assess both diagnostic accuracy and incremental validity. ResultsMMPI-2 scales 8 (Schizophrenia) and BIZ (Bizarre Mentations) correctly identified 58% and 56% respectively of non-affective psychotic patients. The Goldberg Index had an overall correct classification rate of 70%, but only identified 49% of the psychosis group. The SCID had a correct classification rate of 66% but correctly identified only 25% of the non-affective psychosis patients. Three MMPI-2 scales combined with the SCID resulted in an overall correct classification rate of 73%, and identification of 66% of the non-affective psychosis patients. ConclusionThe results suggest that the MMPI-2 may identify early psychosis at least as well as the SCID. Furthermore, using a combination of the MMPI-2 and the SCID shows incremental validity over using the SCID alone.

Personality Patterns in Familiar and Delinquency Violence in Mexican Men

The objective of this study was to examine personality patterns of aggressive and violent behaviors in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) scales data obtained from homicide and domestic violence offenders. A group of homicide and domestic violence offenders were administered the test to identify differences and causes. Method 140 subjects participated in this study. We divided them into two groups of 70 incarcerated offenders each based on the cause of their arrest: homicide and domestic violence. Inmates were sampled by non-probability quota sampling, and voluntarily completed the Inventory after giving informed consent. Results: By applying the parametric Student's t-test to the scales and using Cohen's d, the effect size of identified differences was obtained. High scores in some scales suggesting differences in expression of aggression between groups were observed. Homicide offenders expressed more openly emotions of aggression, hostility, and anger, while domestic violence perpetrators tend to deny any such factors in their behavior. Both groups showed emotional deviation associated with their offenses. Conclusions: The MMPI-2 has been proved to detect behavior patterns of offenders and their reluctance to readapt to civil society. An interesting matter can be highlighted: Given the conditions in Mexican correctional facilities, currently offenders overall are not motivated enough to reintegrate into social life, having expressed reactions of aggression-related behaviors.

Fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis: Personality and psychopathology differences from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2

The fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic widespread pain condition whose etiology remains unknown. Within a psychosocial approach to FM, personality may play a role as predisposing and/or maintaining factor. A meta-analytic study has identified a distinct Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) clinical profile between FM female patients and healthy controls, but the differences between FM and other chronic pain conditions with clear etiology are not established. This cross-sectional study compares the clinical MMPI-2 profile in FM and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, identifies typical groups of each pathology, and further characterizes these groups in the broad MMPI-2 personality and psychopathology dimensions. The MMPI-2 scales were assessed in a sample of 70 women (FM: n = 38, Mage = 46.03, SDage = 8.48; RA: n = 32, Mage = 45.31, SDage = 8.68). The FM group had clinically significant elevations on five clinical scales (Hypochondriasis, Depression, Hysteria, Psychasthenia and Schizophrenia), while RA group had none. A K-Means cluster analysis allowed the identification of a typical profile of each pathology, and subsequent MANCOVAs identified important features of FM patients on several MMPI-2 dimensions. We conclude there is specificity in the personality and psychopathology characteristics of FM patients.

Laisvės atėmimo bausmę atliekančių nuteistųjų asmenybės charakteristikos taikant MMPI-2

[only abstract in English; full article and abstract in Lithuanian]&#x0D; &#x0D; The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI-2) is the most widely used self-report test used for screening of personality and psychopathology in a variety settings including forensic setting. The research in various populations of offenders confirms them possessing characteristics such as antisocial, lacking of impulse control, irresponsible, etc., and these characteristics are captured by the MMPI-2 scales. The goal of this study was to evaluate personality characteristics of incarcerated male and female offenders with the MMPI-2 and to analyse the results in light of results from other offender population studies. The finding of current study shows that the MMPI-2 characteristics of Lithuanian incarcerated offenders generally appear to be similar to those obtained in other cultural environments. Incarcerated offenders were best defined by higher Psychopathic Deviate (Pd), Paranoia (Pa), Antisocial Behavior (RC4), Ideas of Persecution (RC6), Discontraint (DISC), Overcontrolled Hostility (O-H), MacAndrew Alcoholism Revised (MAC-R) scales scores and lower scores of Ego Strength (Es) and Sociala Responsibility (Re) scales. This study has confirmed the results of earlier research and justified the MMPI-2 application for psychological assessment in Lithuanian offenders’ sample.&#x0D;

Психологические предпосылки стабильности кадрового состава при работе на объектах после радиационных аварий

Purpose: Identification of the psychological preconditions of the staff stability during work at facilities after radiation accidents. Material and methods: This paper includes the comparative analysis of findings of psychological examination of the personnel of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) over the aftermath period (July 1986 – April 1987) and those of the control group consisted of the workers of the Smolensk NPP (102 persons). The psychological examination was based on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF). To achieve the purpose of this study, additional information was collected concerning the time of dismissal of previously examined employees of the Chernobyl NPP. Two groups of the surveyed workers were selected on the basis of the obtained information: – individuals who continued to work at the Chernobyl NPP after the accident until 1995 (group 1) – 74 persons; – individuals who resigned voluntary from the plant within a year and a half following the accident (group 2) – 29 persons. Results: The results of the examination using MMPI and 16-PF revealed significant differences in the generalized psychological portraits of group 1, group 2 and the control group. Individuals of the group 2 were more different in psychological parameters from the control group than those of group 1. So, according to the MMPI data, significant differences were found on the L (Lie) scale and on seven clinical scales: scale 1 (Hypochondriasis), scale 2 (Depression), scale 3 (Hysteria), scale 4 (Psychopathic Deviate), scale 6 (Paranoia), scale 7 (Psychasthenia) and scale 8 (Schizophrenia). The values in the group 2 were significantly higher than in the control group for all listed above scales. In addition, the group 2 had lower levels of 16PF factors: the Q1 (Openness to Change/Radicalism) and the secondary F4 factor (Independence). Also, a large proportion of individuals with abnormally pronounced personality traits (more than 70 T-score) were obtained in this group according to the MMPI data (41.4 %). The most frequently anomalous peaks were met on the scales 2 (Depression) and 1 (Hypochondriasis). The anomalous peaks on the MMPI profiles in the group 2 have been detected more than three times often than in the group 1. In addition, the group 2 had lower levels of 16PF factors: C (Emotional Stability) and F (Liveliness) than these factors of the group 1. Comparison of the examination results of the group 1 and the control group revealed the similarity of their generalized psychological portraits. At the same time, the group 1 demonstrated much higher values (p &lt; 0.05) on MMPI scales: 1 (Hypochondriasis) and 2 (Depression) in comparison with the control group, however, these values were a bit higher than the general population standards (50 T-scores). Conclusion: The group of employees who quitted the job shortly after the accident was characterized by a pronounced uniqueness according to indicators of psycho-diagnostic tests, in comparison both with the control group, and with those who remained working at the plant for a long time. Apparently, these differences confirm our assumption about the existence of psychological characteristics that can be considered as preconditions for workers to make the decision to leave or continue working at the enterprise under changed conditions. This demonstrates the importance of taking into account the psychological characteristics of workers and the need for psychological support for personnel working under the exposure of harmful and hazardous factors after major radiation accidents.

Determining Importance of Ranges of MMPI Scales Using Fuzzification and Relevant Attribute Selection

The paper presents an empirical study of the use of fuzzification and relevant feature selection to determination of the importance of particular ranges of MMPI scales. The importance is determined in terms of classification capabilities. MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) is a standardized psychometric test of adult personality and psychopathology. The MMPI test delivers psychometric data in a form of the so-called profiles consisting of values of thirteen descriptive attributes (corresponding to scales). Determination of the importance of ranges of MMPI scales is crucial for computer-aided classification tasks as well as from the diagnostic point of view. The experiments were performed on a real-life data set consisting of over 1700 profiles. A special attention is focused in the paper on the fuzzification process implemented in CLAPSS (Classification and Prediction Software System). CLAPSS is a tool developed for solving different classification and prediction problems using, among others, some specialized approaches based mainly on fuzzy sets and rough sets.

Comparative prediction of nonepileptic events using MMPI-2 clinical scales, Harris Lingoes subscales, and restructured clinical scales.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is a psychological testing tool used to measure psychological and personality constructs. The MMPI-2 has proven helpful in identifying individuals with nonepileptic events/nonepileptic seizures. However, the MMPI-2 has had some updates that enhanced its original scales. The aim of this article was to test the utility of updated MMPI-2 scales in predicting the likelihood of non-epileptic seizures in individuals admitted to an EEG video monitoring unit. We compared sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios of traditional MMPI-2 Clinical Scales against more homogenous MMPI-2 Harris-Lingoes subscales and the newer Restructured Clinical (RC) scales. Our results showed that the Restructured Scales did not show significant improvement over the original Clinical scales. However, one Harris-Lingoes subscale (HL4 of Clinical Scale 3) did show improved predictive utility over the original Clinical scales as well as over the newer Restructured Clinical scales. Our study suggests that the predictive utility of the MMPI-2 can be improved using already existing scales. This is particularly useful for those practitioners who are not invested in switching over to the newly developed MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2 RF).

Relationships between MMPI Scales under Defensive Attitude and Safety and Health Indices

Objective:This study aims to analyze the relationships between personality factors measured by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scales and the indices of safety and health in the shipbuilding industry.BR Background: Many researches reported that there were significant relationships between some MMPI subscales and traffic and industrial accidents.BR Method: This study analyzes 230 male workers in shipyard for their MMPI scores gathered during recruitment process and their safety and health indices from the performance record during their working period. χ2-test and one-way ANOVA are used for finding the statistical significance for personality factors. The conventional grouping rule for MMPI scales and other grouping criteria considering the attitude of positive answer for the MMPI test during recruitment process are used for analysis.BR Results: The Hypomania (Ma) and Psychopathic Deviate (Pd) scales of the MMPI are the main factors related to the safety and health related indices for most grouping rules. Depression (D), Psychasthenia (Pt), Hypochondriasis (Hs), Schizophrenia (Sc), and Masculinity and Femininity (Mf) scales are also related to the safety and health indices.BR Conclusion and Application: The results can be used for understanding the psychological factors in human behaviors and safety and can help professional personnel take the necessary steps in improving safety on the job and also in providing the effective teaching of safe work methods.

Results of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 among gestational surrogacy candidates

ObjectiveTo obtain normative data on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) personality test for gestational surrogate (GS) candidates. MethodsA retrospective study was undertaken through chart review of all GS candidates assessed at Shady Grove Fertility Center, Rockville, MD, USA, between June 2007 and December 2009. Participants completed the MMPI-2 test during screening. MMPI-2 scores, demographic information, and screening outcome were retrieved. ResultsAmong 153 included candidates, 132 (86.3%) were accepted to be a GS, 6 (3.9%) were ruled out because of medical reasons, and 15 (9.8%) were ruled out because of psychological reasons. The mean scores on each of the MMPI-2 scales were within the normal range. A score of more than 65 (the clinical cutoff) was recorded on the L scale for 46 (30.1%) candidates, on the K scale for 61 (39.9%), and on the S scale for 84 (54.9%). Women who were ruled out for psychological reasons had significantly higher mean scores on the validity scales F and L, and on clinical scale 8 than did women who were accepted (P<0.05 for all). ConclusionMost GS candidates are well adjusted and free of psychopathology, but candidates tend to present themselves in an overly positive way.

Assessing Impression Management With the MMPI-2 in Child Custody Litigation.

Forensic psychological evaluation of parents in child custody litigation is primarily focused on evaluating parenting capacity and underreporting. The biased responses of underreporting have been classified as Impression Management (IM) or as Self-Deceptive Positivity (S-DP), which are regarded to be conscious or unconscious in nature, respectively. A field study was undertaken to assess impression management on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) in child custody cases, the accuracy of the MMPI-2 scales in classifying IM, and what parents in child custody litigation actually manipulate in terms of IM. A total of 244 parents in child custody litigation and 244 parents under standard instructions were administered the MMPI-2. The results revealed that the L, Mp, Wsd, and Od scales discriminated between both samples of parents; the rate of satisfactory classification (i.e., odds ratio ranged from 5.7 for Wsd to 23.3 for Od) and an incremental validity of Od over Mp and Wsd. As for the effects of IM, the results show IM effects in the Basic Clinical Scales, the Restructured Clinical Scales, the Personality Psychopathology Five Scales, the Content Scales, and the Supplementary Scales. The implications of the results are discussed in relation to the forensic evaluation of parents in child custody litigation.