Novel Psychoactive Substance Use and Psychological Trauma: A Multimethodological Analysis.

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

When insurance is not a barrier: psychological factors predicting whether bariatric candidates undergo surgery.

BACKGROUND: Despite the effectiveness of bariatric surgery, utilization rates have increased only marginally over the last 2 decades; candidates who are eligible for bariatric surgery regularly fail to undergo surgery. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) has previously been used to assist in identification of those who will not move forward with surgery after being identified as eligible. However, medical insurance has been identified as a significant barrier to surgery; research in those who have universal healthcare may yield different results. OBJECTIVES: Determine if MMPI-RF scales are associated with failure to undergo bariatric surgery in patients eligible to have the procedure. SETTING: Large military hospital in the Northwestern U.S. METHODS: This study used archival data for 279 patients psychologically screened for eligibility for bariatric surgery. All assessments took place between January 2017 and December 2019. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare groups of patients who did and did not have surgery on relevant medical and demographic variables. Profile analyses of patient MMPI-2-RF scores were conducted to examine scale associations with undergoing surgery. RESULTS: A total of 86 bariatric surgery candidates (30.8%) did not undergo surgery. Results showed that sex, age, employment status, and arthritis were different between groups. Additionally, MMPI-2-RF scales were different between groups, including somatic complaints, neurological complaints, cynicism, and helplessness/hopelessness. CONCLUSIONS: MMPI-2-RF scales were associated with not having bariatric surgery, although not all scales exceeded clinical cut-offs. Findings indicate psychological and psychosocial differences, rather than psychopathology per se, may play a role in who undergoes bariatric surgery.

Cross validation of the response bias scale and the response bias scale-19 in active-duty personnel: use on the MMPI-2-RF and MMPI-3.

The Response Bias Scale (RBS) is the central measure of cognitive over-reporting in the MMPI-family of instruments. Relative to other clinical populations, the research evaluating the detection of over-reporting is more limited in Veteran and Active-Duty personnel, which has produced some psychometric variability across studies. Some have suggested that the original scale construction methods resulted in items which negatively impact classification accuracy and in response crafted an abbreviated version of the RBS (RBS-19; Ratcliffe et al., 2022; Spencer et al., 2022). In addition, the most recent edition of the MMPI is based on new normative data, which impacts the ability to use existing literature to determine effective cut-scores for the RBS (despite all items having been retained across MMPI versions). To date, no published research exists for the MMPI-3 RBS. The current study examined the utility of the RBS and the RBS-19 in a sample of Active-Duty personnel (n = 186) referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Using performance validity tests as the study criterion, we found that the RBS-19 was generally equitably to RBS in classification. Correlations with other MMPI-2-RF over- and under-reporting symptom validity tests were slightly stronger for RBS-19. Implications and directions for research and practice with RBS/RBS-19 are discussed, along with implications for neuropsychological assessment and response validity theory.

Using the MMPI-2-RF, IOP-29, IOP-M, and FIT in the In-Person and Remote Administration Formats: A Simulation Study on Feigned mTBI.

Our study compared the impact of administering Symptom Validity Tests (SVTs) and Performance Validity Tests (PVTs) in in-person versus remote formats and assessed different approaches to combining validity test results. Using the MMPI-2-RF, IOP-29, IOP-M, and FIT, we assessed 164 adults, with half instructed to feign mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and half to respond honestly. Within each subgroup, half completed the tests in person, and the other half completed them online via videoconferencing. Results from 2 ×2 analyses of variance showed no significant effects of administration format on SVT and PVT scores. When comparing feigners to controls, the MMPI-2-RF RBS exhibited the largest effect size (d = 3.05) among all examined measures. Accordingly, we conducted a series of two-step hierarchical logistic regression models by entering the MMPI-2-RF RBS first, followed by each other SVT and PVT individually. We found that the IOP-29 and IOP-M were the only measures that yielded incremental validity beyond the effects of the MMPI-2-RF RBS in predicting group membership. Taken together, these findings suggest that administering these SVTs and PVTs in-person or remotely yields similar results, and the combination of MMPI and IOP indexes might be particularly effective in identifying feigned mTBI.

MMPI-2-RF Profiles of Treatment-Seeking Veterans in a VA Pain Clinic and Associations with Markers of Physical Performance.

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition for many military Veterans and is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) in 144 Veterans (88.2% male, mean age = 57.95 years) recruited from a VA outpatient pain clinic and associations with self-reported pain severity, pain-related interference in daily activities, prescription opioid use, and objective metrics of physical performance on tasks impacted by pain (walking, stair climbing, grip strength, indexed by a single latent variable). Among the cohort with valid responses on the MMPI-2-RF (n = 117) and probable PTSD, mean Somatic Complaints (RC1) and Ideas of Persecution (RC6) scores were clinically elevated. All MMPI-2-RF scales were more strongly correlated with self-reported pain interference than severity. Regressions revealed associations between self-rated pain interference (but not pain or PTSD severity) and physical performance scores (ß = .36, p = .001). MMPI-2-RF overreporting Validity and Higher-Order scales contributed incremental variance in predicting physical performance, including Infrequent Psychopathology Responses (ß = .33, p = .002). PTSD severity was associated with prescription opioid use when accounting for the effects of over-reported somatic and cognitive symptoms (odds ratio 1.05, p ≤ .025). Results highlight the role of symptom overreporting and perceptions of functional impairment to observable behaviors among individuals with chronic pain.

Latent Classes based on Clinical Symptoms of Military Recruits with Mental Health Issues and Their Distinctive Clinical Responses to Treatment over 6 Months.

Objective: : This study aimed (1) to identify distinct subgroups of psychiatric patients referred for a mental health certificate for military service suitability and (2) to determine whether there is a difference in clinical features such as treatment responsiveness and prognosis among certain subgroups. Methods: : We conducted latent profile analysis (LPA) using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) clinical profiles of the participants. Linear mixed model analysis was performed to examine changes in the severity of clinical symptoms and functional level according to the treatment period of the latent classes derived from the LPA. Results: : The results indicated that the best-fitting model was a three-class model, comprising Class 1 (mild maladjustment), Class 2 (neurotic depression and anxiety), and Class 3 (highly vulnerable and hypervigilant). We demonstrated that the three subgroups displayed different characteristics in treatment responsiveness and clinical course based on their Clinical Global Impression-Severity and Global Assessment of Functioning scores over a treatment period of 6 months. While subjects in Classes 1 and 2 significantly improved over 6 months, those in Class 3 showed little or no improvement in our clinical parameters. Conclusion: : This study has yielded data with clinical implications for treatment planning and interventions for each subgroup classified that were based on MMPI-2 clinical profiles of military recruits who might be maladjusted to serve.

Convergence and Divergence of Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form

In clinical and empirical literature, there are many different conceptualizations of the construct of narcissism, but most will agree that narcissism includes at least two broad dimensions: grandiosity and vulnerability. The aim of this study was to corroborate both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism constructs by extending the nomologic net of both dimensions. We therefore investigated the convergences and divergences of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) dimensions with the Personality Psychopathology Five-revised (PSY-5-r) trait domains and other Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) scales in a community sample (N= 251). Results showed that there is clear and conceptually logical convergence between the PNI scales and MMPI-2-RF PSY-5-r trait domains and other MMPI-2-RF scales. Also, the narcissism factors diverge like expected in terms of associations with MMPI-2-RF scales capturing internalizing aspects. Internalizing MMPI-2-RF scales showed positive relations with vulnerability and negative relations with grandiosity. Moreover, grandiosity did relate positively MMPI-2-RF externalizing scales (AU)

The forensic assessment of dissociation: Distinguishing real from the unreal.

Because a wide range of disorders incorporate dissociative symptoms, evaluators should be familiar with evidence-based approaches to evaluating dissociation claims in the clinical and forensic context. This article provides specific guidelines for practitioners when conducting a forensic assessment of individuals who report dissociative symptoms. We review the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition disorders that include dissociation as a symptom, highlight how to distinguish genuine versus atypical symptoms of dissociative identity disorder, and summarize strengths and weaknesses of structured assessments in the evaluation of dissociative claims.

Mental Health and Personality Characteristics of University Students at Risk of Smartphone Overdependence.

The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between the risk of smartphone dependence, mental health, and personality traits in university students using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), and to identify the MMPI-2-RF scales that can predict the risk of smartphone dependence. Of the 772 university students who participated in the study, 163 were in the smartphone overdependence group, accounting for 21.1% of the total survey respondents, which was one in five of those surveyed. High T-scores on the measure indicate greater psychopathology. The smartphone overdependence group had significantly higher T-scores than the general user group on all but three of the MMPI-2-RF scales, and the degree of smartphone overdependence was positively correlated with scores on these scales. There was no difference between the dependent and non-dependent groups on the interpersonal passivity, aesthetic-literary interest, and aggression scales, and scores on these three were not correlated with smartphone dependence. Among the MMPI-2-RF scales, those found to predict the risk of smartphone overdependence were the emotional/internalizing problems, behavioral/externalizing problems, antisocial behavior, cognitive complaints, helplessness/hopelessness, inefficacy, juvenile conduct problems, aggression, interpersonal problems, disconstraint, negative emotionality/neuroticism, and introversion/low positive introversion/low positive emotionality scales. Based on these findings, we propose that effective prevention and intervention for smartphone overdependence must be comprehensive and holistic rather than focusing on specific aspects of mental health or personality. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Comprehensive Analysis of MMPI-2-RF Symptom Validity Scales and Performance Validity Test Relationships in a Diverse Mixed Neuropsychiatric Setting.

The utility of symptom (SVT) and performance (PVT) validity tests has been independently established in neuropsychological evaluations, yet research on the relationship between these two types of validity indices is limited to circumscribed populations and measures. This study examined the relationship between SVTs on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) and PVTs in a mixed neuropsychiatric setting. This cross-sectional study included data from 181 diagnostically and demographically diverse patients with neuropsychiatric conditions referred for outpatient clinical neuropsychological evaluation at an academic medical center. All patients were administered a uniform neuropsychological battery, including the MMPI-2-RF and five PVTs (i.e., Dot Counting Test; Medical Symptom Validity Test; Reliable Digit Span; Test of Memory Malingering-Trial 1; Word Choice Test). Nonsignificant associations emerged between SVT and PVT performance. Although the Response Bias Scale was most predictive of PVT performance, MMPI-2-RF SVTs generally had low classification accuracy for predicting PVT performance. Neuropsychological test performance was related to MMPI-2-RF SVT status only when overreporting elevations were at extreme scores. The current study further supports that SVTs and PVTs measure unique and dissociable constructs among diverse patients with neuropsychiatric conditions, consistent with literature from other clinical contexts. Therefore, objective evidence of symptom overreporting on MMPI-2-RF SVTs cannot be interpreted as definitively indicating invalid performance on tests of neurocognitive abilities. As such, clinicians should include both SVTs and PVTs as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation as they provide unique information regarding performance and symptom validity.

Examination of the Generalizability of Underreporting Detected by the MMPI-2-RF in a Correctional Sample.

It is relatively unclear if underreporting (UR) detected by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) L-r (Uncommon Virtues) and K-r (Adjustment Validity) scale scores generalizes to score distortion on criterion measures differently based on test-takers having scored highly on L-r, K-r, or both. Thus, this study reanalyzed the correctional sample of 632 men previously presented by Forbey and colleagues and defined UR groups as high scores on L-r alone (n = 89), K-r alone (n = 45), or both (n = 29). Groups were compared on selected MMPI-2-RF and criterion scales assessing internalizing, externalizing, and thought dysfunction difficulties using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests. Results suggested that UR generalized to score distortion on collateral measures, with K-r outperforming L-r in the prediction of this generalizability on all but measures of specific externalizing difficulties. However, having elevations on both L-r and K-r resulted in the strongest pattern of generalizability.

Detecting feigned ADHD in college students using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF).

Objective: To investigate the utility of the validity scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) for detecting feigned Attention-Deficit Hyperreactivity Disorder (ADHD), we utilized a simulation design. Method: We examined group differences across the Restructured Clinical (RC) and validity scales as well as the classification ability of the validity scales across three cut scores. Analyses were conducted across five simulation groups (N = 177) and a standard instruction group (N = 32). Results: Across most of the RC and validity scales, those feigning ADHD produced significantly higher scores than the standard instruction group, but generally no significant differences between the feigning groups were demonstrated. The most promising scales for detecting feigned ADHD were F-r, Fp-r, and Fs at cut scores in the 70 T to 80 T range, respectively. Conclusions: Results support the use of the MMPI-2-RF in ADHD evaluations with scores on F-r, Fs, and Fp-r being particularly useful in detecting feigned ADHD in college students. However, there was no evidence to support the feigning of distinct ADHD symptoms presentations.

An Exploratory Study of MMPI-2-RF Personality and Psychopathology Profiles of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder without Intellectual Disability.

Objective: More empirical research is needed to disentangle the phenotypes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and cluster C personality symptomatology (CCPD), as both show similarities in their clinical presentation. We explored personality and psychopathology dimensions as conceptualized in contemporary dimensional taxonomies (i.e., hierarchical taxonomy of psychopathology; HiTOP) in adults with ASD without intellectual disability operationalized by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). Method: Applying secondary analytic processes using clinical data, we cross-examined the MMPI-2-RF profiles of adults with ASD (n = 28) compared to adults with Cluster C personality disorders (CCPD; n = 28) and a control group (n = 28) by conducting nonparametric tests and assessing effect sizes. Results: The profiles of the ASD and CCPD groups evidenced to be similar, and both average clinical profiles diverged from the average control group profiles by elevated levels of demoralization, internalizing, and somatization symptomatology. There were small differences between the average profiles of adults with ASD and adults with CCPD. Additional research using dimensional measures of psychopathology could elucidate the dimensional phenotypes of ASD and CCPD. Conclusions: Based on the results in this study, the MMPI-2-RF may not meaningfully discriminate between the two clinical presentations, with the exception of various externalizing scales.

Development of an MMPI reference group for outpatients with persisting symptoms following mild TBI.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an MMPI-2-RF reference group for persistently symptomatic patients with mTBI in order to aid interpretation and better evaluate atypical scale elevations. METHOD: Using the Q Local MMPI-2-RF Comparison Group Generator (CGG), 200 valid MMPI-2-RF profiles were aggregated for mTBI outpatients with persisting symptoms 2-24 months post injury. RESULTS: Compared to established MMPI general population norms, individuals with persisting symptoms demonstrated elevations on several scales, primarily in cognitive and somatic domains. T scores > 60 and standard deviations > 10 were observed for the F-r (Infrequent Responses), Fs (Infrequent Somatic Responses), FBS-r (Symptom Validity), RBS (Response Bias Scale), RC1 (Somatic Complaints), MLS (Malaise), HPC (Head Pain Complaints), NUC (Neurological Complaints), and COG (Cognitive Complaints) scales. All other scales were consistent with established norms for the general population. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to establish an empirically derived MMPI reference group for individuals with persisting symptoms following mTBI. By comparing MMPI profiles of patients with mTBI against this reference group, clinicians may be better able to identify abnormal symptomatology. Evaluating profiles within this context may allow for more accurate case conceptualization and targeted treatment recommendations for those patients who demonstrate disproportionate symptomatology outside the range of the mTBI reference group.

The role of personality assessment in forensic driving license renewal procedures. A study supported by the MMPI-2 test.

Abstract: The main function of the medical-psychological assessment to evaluate fitness to drive (FTD) is to safeguard the community against risks posed by drivers who, owing to psycho-physical disease, personality disturbances, abuse of psychotropic substances or drugs, can be a hazard to safety on the roads. In the context of psychodiagnostic investigations, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI-2) test is the gold standard tool supporting clinical assessments conducted to evaluate a subject's capacity to predict her/his own actions, attitudes, risk propensity, level of conformity to social norms. Other important features of the tool include the specific scales aimed at individuating behaviors adopted with the intent to elude or hide existing personality problems. These behaviors are very frequent in the field of medicolegal, psychological and psychiatric assessments, including FTD evaluations. In this study, the MMPI 2 test was administered to 154 subjects for whom Driving Licence (DL) Medical Commissions based in the south of Italy had required specific personality assessments, compared to a control group of 186 subjects with no clinical or psychodiagnostic problems. The question posed in our study was to understand whether the test was able to detect differences between the personalities of the subjects belonging to the two groups. The results obtained demonstrated significant differences between the experimental group and the controls, shown by the MMPI-2 variables, in particular the clinical Hs scale,the supplementary scales: GF, Re, AAS, APS and the content scales DEP and TRT, as well as the PSY-5 Disc and Nege scales.

Detecting underreport in real-world assessment contexts: The utility of multiple-scale indicators / Detectar la minimización de síntomas en contextos de evaluación reales. La utilidad de indicadores de escalas múltiples

Underreport of symptoms and personality characteristics is a relevant problem for psychological assessment. Nevertheless, most of the studies in this field use simulation designs. This study aims at comparing underreport prevalence in real world samples of different contexts, using single-scale and multiple scale underreport indicators from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 (MMPI-2) to identify the best one and assess its implications on the clinical scales scores. Using a Differential Prevalence Group design, 1438 participants were assessed with the MMPI-2, grouped in three samples from two non-clinical contexts (community and organizational) and one clinical context. The organizational sample had the highest prevalence of underreporting. Overall, multiple scale indicator LKS ≥ T65 performed better at distinguishing these samples. Analysis of variance revealed that LKS ≥ T65 was also the only indicator in which participants doing underreport consistently varied from honest re-sponders in the clinical scales scores, while also having lower probability of producing both type I and II errors. The existence of underreport has clear implication on the clinical scales results. The multiple scale indicator is the most robust and should be used in the detection of underreporting. This is a relevant implication for psychological assessment in different contexts, mainly in the organizational context.(AU)

La minimización de síntomas es un problema relevante para la evaluación psicológica. La mayoría de los estudios utilizan diseños de simulación. Este estudio tiene como objetivo comparar la prevalencia de la minimización de síntomas y sus implicaciones, utilizando indicadores de escala única y de escala múltiple del Inventario Multifásico de Personalidad de Minnesota-2 (MMPI-2) en muestras reales. Utilizando un diseño de Grupo de Prevalencia Diferencial se evaluaron 1438 participantes, agrupados en tres muestras: dos no clínicas (comunitario y organizacional) y una muestra clínica. La muestra organizacional tuvo la mayor prevalencia de minimización de síntomas. En general, el indicador de escala múltiple LKS ≥ T65 proporcionó los mejores resultados. El análisis de la varianza reveló que el LKS ≥ T65 era también el único indicador de diferenciación, en las escalas clínicas, de los participantes que realizaban o no la minimización de síntomas, a la vez que tenía una menor probabilidad de producir errores tipo I y II. La presencia de minimización tiene una clara implicación en las puntuaciones clínicas. El indicador de escalas múltiples es el más robusto en la detección de la minimización de síntomas y es relevante para la evaluación en diferentes contextos, principalmente en lo organizacional.(AU)

Understanding MMPI-2 response structure between schizophrenia and healthy individuals.

Background: Using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) clinical scales to evaluate clinical symptoms in schizophrenia is a well-studied topic. Nonetheless, research focuses less on how these clinical scales interact with each other. Aims: Investigates the network structure and interaction of the MMPI-2 clinical scales between healthy individuals and patients with schizophrenia through the Bayesian network. Method: Data was collected from Wuhan Psychiatric Hospital from March 2008 to May 2018. A total of 714 patients with schizophrenia and 714 healthy subjects were identified through propensity score matching according to the criteria of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Separated MMPI-2 clinical scales Bayesian networks were built for healthy subjects and patients with schizophrenia, respectively. Results: The Bayesian network showed that the lower 7 scale was a consequence of the correlation between the lower 2 scale and the greater 8 scale. A solely lower 7 scale does yield neither a lower 2 scale nor a higher 8 scale. The proposed method showed 72% of accuracy with 78% area under the ROC curve (AUC), similar to the previous studies. Limitations: The proposed method simplified the continuous Bayesian network to predict binary outcomes, including other categorical data is not explored. Besides, the participants might only represent an endemic as they come from a single hospital. Conclusion: This study identified MMPI-2 clinical scales correlation and built separated Bayesian networks to investigate the difference between patients with schizophrenia and healthy people. These differences may contribute to a better understanding of the clinical symptoms of schizophrenia and provide medical professionals with new perspectives for diagnosis.

Identifying the risk of opioid misuse in a chronic pain population: the utility of the MMPI-2-RF personality psychopathology five (PSY-5-RF) and higher-order scales.

Prescription-related opioid misuse, especially in chronic pain populations, is an ongoing problem and is related to increased mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of two restructured scales of the MMPI-2-RF: the Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY-5-RF) and the Higher-Order Scales to determine which of their subscales may be beneficial for identifying the risk of opioid misuse in a chronic pain population. A sample of 136 patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders completed the MMPI-2-RF and the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) upon admission to a functional restoration program. The PSY-5-RF and H-O subscales were correlated with the baseline COMM scores. Correlation analyses, ROC curve analyses, and multiple binary logistic regression models were developed to determine which subscales were most associated with elevated COMM scores. The results of the regression analyses suggest that Scale elevations on two of the PSY-5-RF Scales and two Higher-Order Scales of the MMPI-2-RF demonstrated significant associations with elevated COMM scores, thus exhibiting the utility of these subscales in identifying the risk of opioid misuse among chronic pain patients. These findings are clinically meaningful in underscoring the importance of identifying specific personality traits as potential predictors of opioid misuse, and identifying those at risk through careful screening. Clinical implications based on each of the PSY-5-RF and H-O scales significantly associated with elevated COMM scores are discussed.

Hypnotizability and psychopathology of patients with personality disorders.

Assessment of hypnotizability is useful in research and predicting the effects of hypnosis in clinical practice. There are few contemporary scientific reports examining the relationship between hypnotizability and psychopathological personality dimensions. The current study explores the connections between abnormal personality in psychiatric patients and the hypnotizability level. Fifty-five patients with anxiety and personality disorders who previously completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) were invited to undergo the Elkins Hypnotizability Scale - Clinical Form (EHS-CF). The hypnotizability scores comprise a normal distribution but shifted toward low scores. Twenty-seven patients were included in the low hypnotizability (LOW) group, and 28 patients in the medium to high (MID-HIGH) group. The number of participants with high scores on the Psychopathic Deviate and Paranoia MMPI-2 clinical scales was significantly higher in the LOW than in the MID-HIGH group. Patterns of associations between hypnotizability and psychopathology differed in the two groups. The results indicate that moderate hypnotizability should be considered a normal trait that has no meaningful relationship with psychopathology, but certain dysfunctional symptoms of personality disorders may entail resistance and a defensive attitude toward the hypnotherapy, resulting in a tendency to obtain lower hypnotizability.

MMPI-2-RF Differences Between Violent Offending and Institutional Violence Among Incarcerated Women.

The examination of violence perpetrated by female offenders remains an understudied topic, as research typically focuses on male offender samples. As such, it remains unclear what personality characteristics may be associated with the perpetration of violence among female offenders. This study sought to examine the relationship between personality characteristics, as assessed by the MMPI-2-RF, and engagement in violence, within a sample of 228 incarcerated women. Results indicated that women serving time for a violent offense obtained higher mean scores on MMPI-2-RF scales related to underreporting, atypical thoughts/experiences, and paranoia. Women who obtained disciplinary reports for violence within the institution obtained higher mean scores on MMPI-2-RF scales related to behavior/externalizing dysfunction, overactivation, and aggression. Taken together, violence was most strongly associated with the MMPI-2-RF scales related to paranoia and atypical thoughts/experiences (e.g., THD, PSYC-r). This study provides new data on the viability of the MMPI-2-RF to provide critical insights into violent and aggression behavior in female inmates, an understudied population and demonstrate the instrument's efficacy in assessing characteristics associated with violent behavior.