Incremental Contribution of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 3 to Predicting One-Year Postoperative Spinal Cord Surgery/Spinal Cord Stimulation Outcomes.

Pre-surgical psychological assessments are becoming common in the United States and are recommended or required prior to surgical/spinal cord stimulator intervention for chronic back pain. Psychological testing is often recommended for these evaluations and the various versions of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) have demonstrated utility for predicting outcomes in this setting. This investigation sought to extend that literature with the newest version of the MMPI, the MMPI-3. The sample comprised of 909 patients (50.5% men, 49.5% women) who consented to participating in an outcome study and took the MMPI-3 along with other self-report measures of pain, functional disability, and emotional functioning prior to surgery as part of their pre-surgical psychological assessment. Self-report measures of pain, functional disability, and emotional functioning were administered again one-year following the intervention. MMPI-3 scale scores accounted for up to 9% of additional variance in the outcomes after controlling for pre-surgical measures. Measures of emotional/internalizing dysfunction, somatic dysfunction, and, to a lesser extent, behavioral/externalizing dysfunction contributed the most to the prediction of poorer outcomes.

Adapting assessment processes to consider cultural mistrust in forensic practices: An example with the MMPI instruments.

OBJECTIVE: Our first goal in this study was to identify cultural mistrust critical items (CMCIs) on two versions of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-the MMPI-Second Edition-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) and MMPI-Third Edition (MMPI-3)-that might be endorsed by people of color because of cultural mistrust rather than clinical paranoia. Our second goal was to determine whether CMCIs and items on the MMPI-2-RF/MMPI-3 Ideas of Persecution scale (Restructured Clinical Scale 6 [RC6]) were endorsed at different rates across cultural groups in a nonclinical college sample and a forensic inpatient sample. HYPOTHESES: Our primary hypothesis was that expert raters would reliably identify a subset of MMPI-2-RF and MMPI-3 items as reflective of cultural mistrust. Black college students would endorse the highest level of CMCIs, followed by Latina/o students, and then White students. We hypothesized that the same pattern of findings would occur in forensic inpatients but that the differences would be attenuated because of the high base rate of psychiatric symptomatology and the nature of the forensic assessment setting. METHOD: Three Black female and three Black male psychologists rated the degree to which each item on the MMPI-2-RF and MMPI-3 reflected cultural mistrust. Black (n = 90), Latina/o (n = 83), and White (n = 100) college students were compared on CMCIs and on MMPI-2-RF/MMPI-3 RC6 item endorsement. The same comparisons were made among Black (n = 221), Latina/o (n = 142), and White (n = 483) forensic inpatients who completed the MMPI-2-RF. RESULTS: Black college students endorsed the highest levels of cultural mistrust, followed by Latina/o students, and then White students, resulting in small-to-medium effect sizes (Hedges's gs = 0.14-0.52). Although we observed some item-level differences in forensic patients, the overall pattern of item endorsement did not significantly differ in this group. CONCLUSIONS: There are multiple reasons for the reporting of clinical paranoia and cultural mistrust in forensic assessment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Examination of the Reliability and Validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) in a Preoperative Bariatric Surgery Sample.

Presurgical psychological assessment of bariatric surgery candidates aims to identify psychosocial risk factors and provide treatment recommendations to facilitate optimal outcomes. Such assessment typically includes psychometric testing and a clinical interview. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) has been commonly used as a broadband measure to assess a number of psychosocial domains in bariatric clinics. The newest version of the MMPI, the MMPI-3, was recently released. This study sought to (1) establish whether the MMPI-3 is comparable to the MMPI-2-RF in a sample of patients seeking bariatric surgery, (2) report reliability data for all MMPI-3 scale scores in this sample, and (3) explore associations between commonly used self-report symptom measures and substantive scales of the MMPI-3 to ascertain convergent and discriminant validity patterns. Six hundred and thirty-five presurgical patients completed the MMPI-3 in addition to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C), and Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). The majority (79.1%) of the sample was female, 65.5% was white, and 26.6% was Black. Scores on most of the MMPI-3 Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction scales were meaningfully associated with the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and most EDE-Q subscales (except for Restraint). Meaningful discriminant patterns were observed as well. We conclude that the substantive scales of the MMPI-3 are reliable, comparable to their MMPI-2-RF counterparts, and evidence good convergent validity with extra-test measures assessing depression, anxiety, alcohol use, and eating disorder psychopathology in a preoperative bariatric sample.

Measurement of Eating Pathology Using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3).

Eating disorders are prevalent among college student populations. Although previous iterations of the instrument did not include specific measurement of eating pathology, the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory-3 (MMPI-3) now includes a specific scale (i.e., Eating Concerns [EAT]) to assess problematic eating behaviors. The current study examined the MMPI-3 assessment of eating pathology among 249 undergraduate women. A pattern emerged where symptoms of internalizing psychopathology on the MMPI-3 were generally associated with symptoms of eating disorder. However, the newly included EAT scale demonstrated the strongest associations with most areas of eating dysfunction. Further, hierarchical regression analyses suggested that the EAT scale added substantial incremental predictive utility (up to 23%) over other MMPI-3 scales combined in assessing eating pathology. Classification accuracy statistics yielded high sensitivity and specificity coefficients when predicting eating disorder risk at an EAT scale score cutoff of 75 T or higher. These findings support the use of the MMPI-3 in assessing eating pathology in college women, although its performance with men and with women not of college age remains to be studied.

Validity of the Somatic Complaints Scales of the MMPI-2-RF in an Outpatient Chronic Pain Clinic.

Chronic pain has become a significant medical issue. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is a broadband psychological test that has been validated for use across various medical settings and can aid in the assessment and treatment planning of chronic pain. In the current investigation, it was hypothesized that the somatic complaints scales of the MMPI-2-RF would demonstrate good convergent validity from a structured psychodiagnostic interview and other measures of pain and somatization, and lack gender bias. Patients (n = 200) who produced valid MMPI-2-RFs in an outpatient chronic pain clinic were included in the study. Patients were also administered the Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ), Pain Disability Index (PDI), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR (SCID). Zero-order and partial correlations (controlling for gender) were calculated between MMPI-2-RF scale scores and other criteria. Stepdown hierarchical regression analyses were used to detect bias. By and large, higher scale scores on the somatic/cognitive scales of the MMPI-2-RF were modestly or substantially correlated with MSPQ scores, PDI scores, and SCID Somatization symptom count, even after controlling for gender. Regression analyses suggested that the MMPI-2-RF scale scores were not biased as a function of gender. These findings support the validity of specific MMPI-2-RF scales to help identify somatization and psychosocial functioning among patients with chronic pain. Identification of somatization early within the course of treatment of chronic pain may help focus treatment targets, including referrals for psychological interventions such as cognitive behavior therapy for chronic pain.

Associations among psychopathology and eating disorder symptoms and behaviors in post-bariatric surgery patients.

PURPOSE: A considerable number of post-bariatric surgery patients report problematic eating behaviors (PEBs) and/or eating disorders (EDs). Examining psychosocial variables associated with ED symptoms may identify targets for postoperative interventions to reduce these behaviors and improve surgical outcomes. METHODS: A total of 161 participants completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) and the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Participants were classified into ED risk or no ED risk groups and subjective binge eating (SBE) or no SBE groups. Independent-sample t tests were computed to examine mean differences in total weight loss (%TWL) and MMPI-2-RF scale scores between the ED groups. Relative Risk Ratios (RRRs) were computed to determine which MMPI-2-RF scales were associated with increased risk of ED group membership. RESULTS: The ED risk group lost significantly less weight (19.36% TWL) than the no ED risk group (25.18% TWL). The SBE group lost significantly less weight (17.98% TWL) than the no SBE group (25.57% TWL). Participants in the ED groups scored significantly higher on internalizing and externalizing MMPI-2-RF scales than the no ED groups. These scales were associated with increased risk (1.55-2.55 times the risk) of being classified into the ED groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who experienced postoperative ED symptoms lost significantly less weight than patients without ED symptoms. Postoperative ED symptoms are related to, and may be impacted by, higher levels of internalizing and externalizing dysfunction after surgery. Postoperative assessment of and interventions targeting psychosocial dysfunction could decrease ED symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies.

Assessment of Personality and Psychopathology in Healthcare Settings: Introduction to the Special Section.

Healthcare in the United States has increasingly benefited from the adoption of multidisciplinary providers. Many multidisciplinary teams include psychologists who often conduct psychological and personality assessments in their practice. This special section highlights areas of personality and psychological assessment in applied healthcare contexts. Nghiem and colleagues review the psychometric performance of various personality and psychopathology instruments and provide recommendations for the assessment of solid organ transplant evaluations. Gottschling and colleagues present a culturally adapted screener for anxiety-related symptoms in geriatric adults that can easily be administered in various healthcare settings. Perry and colleagues provide a rationale and method for including a brief personality assessment for patients with cancer. McCord presents a broadband screener, the Multidimensional Behavioral Health Screen (MBHS), that assesses 9 components of psychopathology. Mitchell and colleagues provide evidence for using the MBHS in primary care clinics as an alternative to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. This special section provides evidence-based information regarding personality and psychological assessments that will likely be useful in varied healthcare contexts.

Reliability and Validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 2 - Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) in Spine Surgery and Spinal Cord Stimulator Samples.

It is not uncommon for patients to report diminished outcomes as a result of spine surgery or a spinal cord stimulator implant. Presurgical psychological evaluations are increasingly used to identify patients at increased risk for such outcomes and use of personality assessment instruments in these evaluations provides incremental information beyond a clinical interview and medical chart review. This investigation explores the psychometric properties of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) in a sample of spine surgery patients (n = 810) and in a sample of spinal cord stimulator patients (n = 533). Results indicated that MMPI-2-RF substantive scale scores are reliable, with evidence of good convergent and discriminant validity in both samples. Incorporating the MMPI-2-RF as part of the presurgical evaluation of spine surgery and spinal cord stimulator patients can provide meaningful insight into patients' functioning and help guide pre- and postsurgical treatment in these settings.

Psychological Assessment Instruments for Use in Liver and Kidney Transplant Evaluations: Scarcity of Evidence and Recommendations.

Psychopathology among liver and kidney transplant patients is prevalent. Although pre-surgical psychological evaluations are routinely conducted, understanding which specific psychological test to use is under-developed. The purpose of this review is to examine the psychometric properties of broadband and narrowband psychological measures in pre-surgical liver and kidney transplant evaluations. Overall, there is a paucity of research in this domain that hamper abilities to make clear recommendations on what to use alongside a clinical interview. This review highlights the need for additional research examining instruments that may predict patients' successful recovery from transplant surgery. Despite the scarcity of research, instruments that appear to be useful in this population include the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), the Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT), and the Transplant Evaluation and Rating Scale (TERS).

Presurgical Psychological Evaluation: Risk Factor Identification and Mitigation.

Presurgical psychological evaluations (PPEs) are becoming an established component of the surgical process, though methods of conducting PPEs are variable. There is a lack of clarity about the goals of PPEs, the types of information that should be included, and the process for integrating information and making recommendations to the referring physicians/surgeons. This review proposes an empirically supported model for PPEs that is systematic, but flexible enough to be utilized across the broad range of surgical evaluations. This five-step method is termed the Risk Identification and Mitigation (RIM) model and is discussed in detail. The RIM model presented in this review can both serve as a structure to be utilized in under-researched PPE areas and as a stimulus for future empirical investigations.

Patient Activation Mediates the Association Between Psychosocial Risk Factors and Spine Surgery Results.

Although spine surgery (SS) and spinal cord stimulators (SCSs) can provide significant relief for patients with intractable pain, their effectiveness is variable. Previously, a number of pre-operative psychosocial risk factors have predicted suboptimal outcomes of these procedures. However, recent research has found that "patient activation"-the extent to which patients are engaged and active in their own health care-can predict positive surgical results. The purpose of the current investigation was to determine whether patient activation helps explain associations between established psychosocial risk factors and suboptimal outcomes. Candidates for SS and SCS (n = 1254; 56.3% women, mean age 50.4 years) consented to participate in an outcome study prior to their pre-surgical psychological evaluation. Of those, 46.3% returned self-report measures an average of 180 days (SD = 79.1) post-surgery. Bootstrapped mediation analyses indicated that patient activation mediates numerous associations between psychosocial risk factors and suboptimal outcomes. That is, patients' involvement in obtaining information, decision making, and their resilience can explain why some patients do not experience adverse surgical results when pre-surgical psychosocial risk factors are present. Pre-surgical psychological evaluations should include examination of patient strengths in addition to psychosocial risk factors, so that treatments can be appropriately individualized and the most effective surgical results obtained.

Using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form Cutoffs to Predict Lack of Pre-surgical Exercise.

Previous studies suggest the importance of understanding what factors increase risk of lack of physical activity (PA) prior to bariatric surgery, which may increase risk of suboptimal postoperative outcomes. Therefore, the current study sought to explore which Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) scales were associated with lack of pre-surgical PA. The mean age of the sample (N = 1170) was 45.97 years [standard deviation (SD) = 11.59]. Bivariate correlations and relative risk ratios were utilized to examine associations between MMPI-2-RF scale scores and regular preoperative PA. Of the ten hypothesized associations, seven MMPI-2-RF scales in the internalizing and somatic domains were associated with increased risk of preoperative lack of PA. Interventions designed to increase levels of preoperative PA are especially important because individuals with higher levels of preoperative cardiorespiratory fitness experience less complications in surgery and greater weight loss postoperatively.

Impact of using DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing binge eating disorder in bariatric surgery candidates: change in prevalence rate, demographic characteristics, and scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory--2 restructured form (MMPI-2-RF).

OBJECTIVE: Binge eating disorder (BED) was recently included in the DSM-5. The prevalence rate for BED using the DSM-IV-TR research criteria tends to be higher in bariatric surgery candidates than the normative population; however, no studies have examined how many more bariatric surgery candidates will meet the new, less conservative criteria of DSM-5. We explore the current BED prevalence rate change in a sample of bariatric surgery candidates. METHOD: Data were obtained for 1,283 bariatric surgery candidates. 84 men and 213 women were diagnosed with current BED using DSM-IV-TR research criteria. A semi-structured interview, the binge eating scale (BES), and a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) were given to every patient as part of standard procedures mandated by the facility. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: An additional 3.43% (p < .001) of bariatric surgery candidates met the diagnostic threshold for BED when using DSM-5 criteria. These individuals were demographical similar and produced similar MMPI-2-RF and BES scores when compared with patients who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for BED. Thus, the current investigation indicates that individuals meeting BED criteria based on DSM-5 are similar to those meeting the more conservative diagnostic threshold outlined in DSM-IV-TR in a sample of bariatric surgery candidates.

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.

OBJECTIVE: 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-). METHOD: 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]). RESULTS: 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). DISCUSSION: 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.

Six-year postoperative associations between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 3 (MMPI-3) and weight recurrence, eating behaviors, adherence, alcohol misuse, and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) leads to beneficial and sustained outcomes. However, many patients evidence weight recurrence and psychosocial functioning may be associated with weight recurrence. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 3 (MMPI-3) is validated for use in presurgical MBS evaluations and likely has clinical utility in understanding weight recurrence and other aspects of postoperative functioning. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current investigation is to understand how postoperative psychosocial functioning relates to weight recurrence and other behaviors and constructs 6 years after MBS. SETTING: Cleveland Clinic Bariatric and Metabolic Institute. METHODS: A sample of 163 participants consented to take a battery of self-report measures related to psychological functioning, eating behaviors, adherence, alcohol misuse, and quality of life along with their postoperative weight. MMPI-3 scale scores were prorated from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 2 - Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) or scored from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 2 - Restructured Form - Expanded (MMPI-2-RF-EX). RESULTS: Weight recurrence was quite variable in this sample. Postoperative MMPI-3 scales related to emotional/internalizing dysfunction were modestly associated with higher weight recurrence. Postoperative MMPI-3 scale scores also demonstrated associations with other postoperative outcomes including measures of eating behaviors, adherence, alcohol misuse, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative psychosocial functioning as assessed by the MMPI-3 was associated with weight recurrence and a number of other problematic psychological outcomes beyond weight recurrence.

Further evidence regarding the convergent and discriminant validity of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) scores in the preoperative psychological evaluation of patients seeking metabolic and bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Psychological testing is used in some preoperative psychological evaluations of patients seeking metabolic and bariatric surgery. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) contains new norms, updated item content, and new scales such as Eating Concerns and Impulsivity, which are relevant to the assessment of patients seeking metabolic and bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this investigation was to establish convergent and discriminant properties of the MMPI-3 scales with relevant clinical interview and medical record data from electronic medical records. SETTING: Academic medical center in the Midwest. METHODS: A sample of 790 consecutive patients who completed a preoperative psychological evaluation and took the MMPI-3 were included. Data from medical records and the assessment report were coded by a trained research assistant. RESULTS: MMPI-3 scale scores demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity. For instance, the Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction scales correlated with depression and anxiety disorder, suicide history, sexual abuse history, psychotropic medication use, and eating behaviors. Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction scales correlated with alcohol, nicotine, and substance use and eating behaviors such as loss-of-control overeating. The Eating Concerns scale demonstrated the highest correlational patterns with various eating behaviors such as loss-of-control overeating, binge eating, and stress eating. CONCLUSIONS: MMPI-3 scale scores perform as well as their Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form counterparts. Newer scales, such as Eating Concerns and Impulsivity, perform particularly well in the assessment of various eating behaviors.

Exploring Potential Ethnic Bias Among MMPI-3 Scales in Assessing Personality Psychopathology.

This study examined statistical bias in the measurement of personality psychopathology in the Latinx population using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3). Data were extracted from two studies that yielded a composite data set of 103 White individuals and 250 Latinx individuals. All participants were administered the MMPI-2-Restructured Form-Extended Battery (MMPI-2-RF-EX) or MMPI-3 and the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 Short Form (PID-5-SF). First, we conducted correlation analyses between theoretically overlapping scales of the PID-5-SF and the MMPI-3 among White and Latinx individuals. The majority of theoretically associated scales were found to be at least moderately associated in the total sample. In addition, Steiger's z-tests indicated that correlations were similar in magnitude across the White and Latinx ethnic groups. Hierarchical regression subsequently determined the presence of slope and/or intercept bias. Only one analysis (the MMPI-3 Anger Proneness prediction of PID-5-SF Negative Affectivity) indicated statistically significant intercept bias. No evidence of slope bias was found. In other words, these analyses indicated that the vast majority of the relationships between MMPI-3 scales and associated personality psychopathology constructs (as measured by the PID-5-SF) remained consistent across both ethnic groups. Overall, the results supported the appropriate cross-cultural use of the MMPI-3 to assess personality psychopathology.

Differences in presurgical MMPI-3 scores across trajectories of recovery from spine surgery.

Approximately 30% of patients who undergo spinal surgery for chronic back pain continue to experience significant pain and disability up to 2 months following surgery. Prior studies have identified mental health variables including depression and anxiety as predictors of poorer postsurgical outcomes using screening instruments, but no studies have examined long-term outcomes using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3), a commonly used tool used in presurgical psychological evaluations (PPE). Using group-based trajectory modeling and a sample of 404 spine surgery evaluees, the present study examined the trajectories of changes in disability scores from presurgery through 3, 12, and 24 months postsurgery. We then compared scores on MMPI-3 scales between trajectory groups. We identified three trajectory groups of change in disability over time: a rapid-remitting group (8%), characterized by moderate presurgical disability that rapidly and substantially remitted by 12 and 24 months; a steady-recovering group (68%), characterized by moderate presurgical disability, slower change over time, and mild levels of disability at the 2-year time point; and a persisting disability group (24%), characterized by severe presurgical disability that continued into long-term follow-ups. Participants in the persisting pain group produced higher presurgical scores on somatic/cognitive and internalizing MMPI-3 scales than participants in the rapid-remitting and steady-recovering groups. Our results support the clinical utility of the MMPI-3 in PPEs and highlight the importance of evaluating somatic/cognitive concerns and internalizing dysfunction to identify patients who are likely to have poorer postsurgical outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Impact of COVID-19 on the Self-Report Assessment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent guidelines have had a substantial effect on social norms. This likely affected self-report assessment of psychopathology, namely those that assess obsessive-compulsive tendencies routinely used to screen for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It was hypothesized that self-report assessment of OCD likely produces inflated, non-discriminating scale scores. Methods Data collection occurred prior to the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of validating a new psychological test; however, data collection was abruptly halted in March 2020. Data collection was allowed to resume in the latter half of the year. Both groups were racio-ethnically and gender diverse. Results Self-report measures of OCD yielded inflated scores. For instance, the total obsessive-compulsive inventory-revised (OCI-R) average score of all participants went from normative levels prior to COVID-19 (M = 13.69, SD = 10.32) to an average score that was above the clinical cut-off on the OCI-R (M = 32.89; SD = 12.95) during the pandemic (t(135) = 9.66, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.66). Conclusions OCD-related scale scores likely produced false positives in research and practice due to COVID-19 health guidelines put in place to protect against infection that may otherwise be considered contamination fears on OCD measures.

Targeting premeal anxiety in eating disordered clients and normal controls: a preliminary investigation into the use of mindful eating vs. distraction during food exposure.

OBJECTIVE: Studies have demonstrated that negative affect increases prior to food intake in individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder. Mindfulness has been supported empirically to treat experiential avoidance stemming from anxiety. Thus, the current objective in this study is to empirically compare mindfulness vs. thought suppression invention during a food exposure in both clinical and nonclinical samples. METHOD: In a 2 (Group: clinical vs. nonclinical) × 2 (INTERVENTION: mindfulness vs. distraction) counterbalanced within treatment design, the current investigation sought to determine the differential effectiveness of a brief mindfulness intervention vs. a brief distraction intervention in women diagnosed with AN and BN in a clinical and nonclinical sample during a food exposure. RESULTS: Results indicated that the eating disorder group reported a significant increase in negative affect after the mindfulness intervention as compared to the distraction intervention, whereas the nonclinical group reported a significant decrease in negative affect after the mindfulness intervention as compared to the distraction intervention. DISCUSSION: Preliminary findings suggest that clinicians may want to proceed cautiously when using mindful eating in those with severe eating disorders during the early stages of food exposure. Limitations and future directions are discussed.