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).

Comparing the Validity of MMPI-3 Scores in Prehire Psychological Screenings of Male and Female Police Officer Candidates.

Psychological testing is an important component of the screening process for public safety officers. The use of standardized measures is intended to increase the objectivity of preemployment evaluations, highlighting the importance of examining tests used in these assessments for evidence of differential validity. Differential validity is indicated when a screening measure is unequally associated with, or systematically over- or under-predicts, a criterion across demographic groups. In the current study, we examined for differential validity in Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) scores in a sample of 527 police officer candidates (455 males, 72 females). We first calculated correlations between MMPI-3 scores and job-relevant historical variables. Next, for variable pairings that yielded at least a small effect size, regression models were estimated in a multi-group framework comparing associations between MMPI-3 scores and the historical variables across men and women. The analyses yielded statistical evidence of negligible differential validity across gender in police officer screenings. Implications of these findings and limitations of this study are discussed.

Comparability of MMPI-3 scores from remote and in-person administrations and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MMPI-3 scores.

The COVID-19 pandemic onset necessitated remote administration of psychological instruments, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3). Although previous evidence has demonstrated that MMPI scale scores are robust across administration modalities, the specific effects of remote administration on the psychometric properties of MMPI-3 scale scores must be investigated. Distinguishing psychometric differences due to administration modality from substantive changes in psychological symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic is also important. Thus, goals of the present study include evaluating the psychometric comparability of MMPI-3 scores derived from in-person and remote administration modalities and examining substantive scale scores changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a large sample of college students (n = 2,503), rates of protocol invalidity, mean scale scores, reliability, and criterion validity were compared across participants completing the MMPI-3 in-person (both prior to and after the onset of COVID-19) and via remote administration. Results demonstrate comparably low rates of protocol invalidity, negligible differences in reliability, and similar patterns of criterion validity for MMPI-3 scale scores across administration modalities. Results also indicate that mean MMPI-3 scale scores pre- and post-COVID-19 onset substantially differ on select scales, but that scores on remote and in-person protocols administered post-COVID-19 have negligible differences. Remote MMPI-3 scale scores also demonstrated expected patterns of correlations with external criteria, supporting the validity of remote scores. Overall, the present study demonstrates that MMPI-3 protocols administered remotely and in-person are extremely psychometrically similar, although scores have generally increased post-COVID-19 onset for reasons independent of administration modality. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Construct validation of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) scales relevant to the assessment of bipolar spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) is a commonly used psychological test that includes several scales relevant to measuring manic and depressive symptoms of bipolar spectrum disorders. AIMS: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the construct validity of MMPI-3 scale scores with respect to self-report measures of bipolar psychopathology. MATERIALS & METHODS: Using a sample of 644 university students in New Zealand, we calculated correlations between scores on the MMPI-3 and the Hypomanic Personality Scale-Short Form (HPS-SF) total and factor scores and the Altman Self-Report Mania Scale (ASRM) total and item scores. RESULTS: For associations against the HPS-SF, almost all of the hypotheses were supported, whereas for the ASRM scale, several were not. We also estimated a series of regression models predicting HPS-SF and ASRM scores from meaningfully associated MMPI-3 scores. Hypomanic Activation (RC9), Activation (ACT), and Self-Importance (SFI) scores emerged as the most consistent and substantial predictors of criteria, with SFI scores being more specifically associated with total scores and criteria related to Social Vitality. Several internalizing and thought dysfunction MMPI-3 scales were also meaningfully associated with scores on the HPS-SF and ASRM. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION: Implications and limitations, such as the use of a university student convenience sample, are discussed.

Virtuous victims: Disability claimants who over- and under-report.

Objective: The present study was the first to investigate the test performance and symptom reports of individuals who engage in both over-reporting (i.e., exaggerating or fabricating symptoms) and under-reporting (i.e., exaggerating positive qualities or denying shortcomings) in the context of a forensic evaluation. We focused on comparing individuals who over- and under-reported (OR + UR) with those who only over-reported (OR-only) on the MMPI-3. Method: Using a disability claimant sample referred for comprehensive psychological evaluations (n = 848), the present study first determined the rates of possible over-reporting (MMPI-3 F ≥ 75 T, Fp ≥ 70 T, Fs ≥ 100 T, or FBS or RBS ≥ 90 T) with (n = 42) and without (n = 332) under-reporting (L ≥ 65 T). Next, we examined group mean differences on MMPI-3 substantive scale scores and scores on several additional measures completed by the disability claimant sample during their evaluation. Results: The small group of individuals identified as both over-reporting and under-reporting (OR + UR) scored meaningfully higher than the OR-only group on several over- and under-reporting symptom validity tests, as well as on measures of emotional and cognitive/somatic complaints, but lower on externalizing measures. The OR + UR group also performed significantly worse than the OR-only group on several performance validity tests and measures of cognitive ability. Conclusions: The present study indicated that disability claimants who engage in simultaneous over- and under-reporting portray themselves as having greater levels of dysfunction but fewer externalizing tendencies relative to claimants who only over-report; however, these portrayals are likely less accurate reflections of their true functioning.

Associations Between MMPI-3 and Psychosocial History Findings Obtained in Preemployment Evaluations of Public Safety Candidates.

The present study evaluated the validity of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) scores among police (n = 1,294), correctional officer (n = 190), dispatcher (n = 205), and firefighter (n = 237) candidates using psychosocial history data collected with the Psychological History Questionnaire (PsyQ) at a private practice in the Northwestern United States. MMPI-3 scale elevations at T score cutoffs specified in the MMPI-3 User's Guide for the Public Safety Candidate Interpretive Reports (Corey & Ben-Porath, 2022) were examined. Consistent with previous research using the MMPI-2-RF, MMPI-3 T score means were lower and less variable in this public safety preemployment context relative to the normative sample. In addition, MMPI-3 scores were meaningfully associated with a number of aggregated scale scores derived from PsyQ data, particularly in the behavioral/externalizing domain. To address limited research on preemployment personality testing among female police candidates and the absence of research among nonpolice public safety occupations, Cohen's q was used to compare validity coefficients across male and female police candidates and across police and correctional officer, dispatcher, and firefighter candidates. Differences were minimal, with all statistically significant effects being small in magnitude, indicating the MMPI-3 correlates identified with police candidates replicate to other public safety positions.

Does prior law enforcement experience affect scores on preemployment psychological testing? An investigation using the MMPI-3.

Most states require that a police candidate's suitability be assessed through preemployment psychological evaluations. Given the psychological stress officers experience in the line of duty, it is possible that experienced candidates would produce scores indicating greater dysfunction on psychological testing relative to inexperienced candidates. No known research has investigated whether police candidates produce different preemployment test scores across experience levels. The present study sought to address this gap in the literature and offer data to guide evaluators' interpretation of test scores for candidates with prior law enforcement (LE) experience. We used a sample of 400 police candidates (18.5% women) evaluated for positions at several LE agencies for whom Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) scores were available. Results showed no practically meaningful differences when comparing MMPI-3 scores of candidates with no prior experience, less than 5 years of experience, and 5 or more years of experience. We also compared frequencies at which the three groups elevated MMPI-3 scales at cutoffs specified in Assessing Police and Other Public Safety Personnel Using the MMPI-3: A Practical Guide (Corey & Ben-Porath, 2022) and found minimal differences. Together, these findings indicate that MMPI-3 scores can be interpreted consistently with published guidelines regardless of a candidate's prior LE experience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The Meaning and Clinical Implications of Low MMPI-3 Self-Importance Scores.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) includes two self-concept-oriented scales: Self-Doubt (SFD), a measure of low self-esteem, and Self-Importance (SFI), a measure of beliefs that one has special attributes and abilities. Past research has demonstrated that SFD and SFI measure related but distinct constructs. The present study focused on explicating the meaning and clinical implications of low SFI scores. Using three clinical samples (private practice and community mental health and private practice neuropsychology clinics), we investigated whether the presence of interpretable low SFI scores (< 39 T) in the context of interpretable SFD elevations (≥ 65 T) is associated with distinctive MMPI-3 findings, and whether low SFI scores add clinically meaningful information in predicting relevant extra-test criteria. Consistent meaningful findings were obtained with respect to implications of low SFI scores for assessment of depression- and social engagement-related constructs. Additionally, the full range of SFI scores was meaningfully and negatively correlated with depressive disorder diagnoses and suicidal ideation but yielded very small correlations with suicide attempt and nonmeaningful correlations with diagnoses of Social Anxiety or Avoidant Personality Disorder. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses showed that SFI scores could meaningfully increment other related MMPI-3 scales in predicting diagnosed depressive disorders, albeit with small effect sizes.

Psychometric properties of Spanish-language MMPI-3 scores in a Puerto Rican parental fitness evaluation setting.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) family of instruments have long been used in child custody and parental fitness evaluation (PFE) contexts, spanning from the original MMPI to the recently released MMPI-3. In addition to updating the English-language normative sample and expanding content coverage, the MMPI-3 was released with a U.S. Spanish-language normative sample. The present study sought to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish-language MMPI-3, specifically in a PFE context. The sample consisted of individuals who were evaluated for parental fitness at a multisite private practice in Puerto Rico. A combined gender comparison group sample with equal number of men and women (n = 238) produced mean T scores that were within half a standard deviation of the Spanish-language normative sample on all scales. Scores on the Symptom Validity Scale were meaningfully higher among women (n = 247) relative to the normative sample, and the mean juvenile conduct problems score among men (n = 119) was meaningfully higher than that of the normative sample. Reliability estimates were generally adequate, with some reflecting low internal consistency; however, low standard errors of measurement indicated that low alpha estimates were a function of range restriction rather than measurement imprecision. Limitations, including the need for the accumulation of validity evidence, are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Criterion validity of MMPI-3 scores in preemployment evaluations of public safety candidates.

The present study evaluated the criterion validity and practical utility of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) scores in preemployment evaluations of police candidates (n = 377) and candidates for other public safety occupations (n = 276) in the Midwestern United States. Preemployment psychological reports were used to rate problems in the ten California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training screening dimensions (POST-10 dimensions). MMPI-3 T score means and standard deviations indicated that substantive scale scores were generally lower and less variable relative to the normative sample. MMPI-3 scores were meaningfully associated with problems in the POST-10 dimensions with similar patterns as past research but with generally larger effect sizes (likely due, in part, to criterion contamination). Relative risk ratio (RRR) findings supported the practical utility of interpretive guidelines described in the MMPI-3 Police Candidate Interpretive Report interpretive manual. Results are discussed in terms of the wider MMPI-2-RF literature in police officer preemployment evaluations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Utility of the MMPI-3 validity scales for detecting overreporting and underreporting and their effects on substantive scale validity: A simulation study.

The current study utilized an experimental design to investigate the utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-3 Validity Scales for detecting overreporting and underreporting and the impact of these response sets on substantive scale scores. College students completed a battery of criterion measures before assignment to a Standard Instructions (SIs) Group (n = 288), an Overreporting Group (n = 250), or an Underreporting Group (n = 215). t tests demonstrated that scores on MMPI-3 overreporting indicators and most substantive scales were higher among the Overreporting Group relative to the SI group with very large effect sizes, and scores on MMPI-3 underreporting indicators were higher and most substantive scales scores were lower among the Underreporting Group relative to the SI group, with moderate to large effects. Classification accuracy estimates documented the effectiveness of MMPI-3 Validity Scales in detecting overreporting and underreporting. Bivariate correlations between MMPI-3 substantive scale scores and criterion measures (which were completed under SIs for all three groups) were substantially attenuated for both simulation groups relative to the SI Group. Bivariate correlations were also attenuated for groups identified as overreporting or underreporting using MMPI-3 Validity Scale scores relative to individuals with valid MMPI-3 protocols, highlighting the need for and importance of appraising threats to protocol validity when assessing personality and psychopathology by self-report. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Distinctiveness of the MMPI-3 Self-Importance and Self-Doubt Scales.

The MMPI-3 is an updated version of the MMPI-2-RF that provides enhanced coverage of constructs related to personality and psychopathology. A new Self-Importance (SFI) scale measures individuals' beliefs that they possess special qualities. Low SFI scores indicate that test-takers report lacking such attributes. The Self-Doubt (SFD) scale, which was revised from the MMPI-2-RF, also has a self-orientation and measures a lack of self-esteem. The current study used three college student samples to investigate whether MMPI-3 SFI and SFD measure distinct constructs; in other words, are beliefs about self-importance distinct from self-esteem? SFI and SFD scores were conversely but differentially associated with measures of positive valence, self-esteem, and grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Dominance and regression analyses indicated that SFI scores generally dominated SFD scores in prediction of positive valence and grandiose narcissism (characterized by grandiosity, dominance, aggressiveness). SFD scores generally dominated SFI scores in prediction of self-esteem and vulnerable narcissism (characterized by negative affect, feelings of incompetence, inadequacy). The current findings indicated that self-importance and self-esteem are two distinct constructs and therefore appropriately measured by separate scales.

Using the MMPI-2-RF to Assess Risk of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury among College Students.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), the deliberate destruction of one's own body tissue without suicidal intent, is a prevalent problem linked to adverse outcomes. Many assessment tools designed to assess for NSSI risk are limited by their behavioral focus, which does not cover the numerous affective, cognitive, and interpersonal correlates. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is a widely used inventory of personality and psychopathology that assesses a range of empirical correlates of NSSI risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of the MMPI-2-RF for assessing these NSSI-related constructs. On the basis of a review of the literature and item content, we pre-identified MMPI-2-RF measures of constructs associated with NSSI risk. Correlations between scores on these scales and the number of methods of NSSI identified several meaningful results, including some small but consistent gender differences in these associations. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression analyses indicated that scores on some expected MMPI-2-RF scales independently predicted NSSI variability. Relative risk ratio analyses demonstrated the potential clinical utility of MMPI-2-RF scale scores for assessing risk of engagement in NSSI. These findings indicate that the MMPI-2-RF may be a useful tool for assessing risk for NSSI among college students.

Psychometric properties of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) in a clinical neuropsychology setting.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) instruments have a longstanding history of clinical applications in neuropsychological settings, and many studies have supported the utility of MMPI-2-Restructured Form scores among specific neuropsychological populations. However, the MMPI-3, a new version of the MMPI, has yet to be studied in a clinical neuropsychological setting. To address this need, we investigated the psychometric properties of MMPI-3 scores using a sample of 197 independent practice outpatient neuropsychology examinees (56.9% women; 80.2% White). Internal consistency coefficients and standard errors of measurement were generally consistent with statistics reported for two comparison groups included in the MMPI-3 Technical Manual, supporting the reliability of MMPI-3 scores. Correlations with external criteria-including presenting problems, neurocognitive, psychological/behavioral, and psychiatric diagnostic variables-supported the convergent and discriminant validity of MMPI-3 scores. Finally, relative risk analyses showed meaningful and theoretically expected findings, supporting the utility of the MMPI-3 in a clinical neuropsychological setting. Practical applications, study limitations, and future research directions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Examination of differential validity of MMPI-2-RF scores by gender and ethnicity in predicting future suicidal and violent behaviors in a forensic sample.

Given the diversity of individuals who undergo psychological assessment, examining whether cultural bias exists in psychological assessment instruments (i.e., differential validity) is crucial. This issue occurs when a measure systematically over- or underpredicts a criterion across demographic groups or is associated with the criterion unequally across the groups. We tested the differential validity of a widely used psychological test, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), as a function of gender (male, female) and ethnicity (Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic/Latino American) in large samples of forensic psychiatric inpatients. Regression models were estimated in a multigroup framework. The analyses yielded negligible to small statistical evidence of differential validity in MMPI-2-RF scores predicting the number of future suicidal behaviors and violent behaviors in the samples. This evidence supports use of the MMPI-2-RF as a generally unbiased instrument for predicting key criteria across genders and ethnicities in a forensic psychiatric population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).