A Comparison of the Descriptive Information from the MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF.

Do MMPI-2 or MMPI-2-RF profiles differ in how accurately they depict examinees? To explore this question, we examined differences in clinical descriptions of equivalent profiles from the two instruments. Fourteen valid MMPI-2 protocols from an archival private practice sample were scored as both the MMPI-2 and the MMPI-2-RF. The resulting 28 profiles were coded separately by four raters using the Midwestern Q-Sort. Examinee descriptions from the two instruments were compared in terms of their (a) similarity, operationalized by q-correlations between corresponding MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF ratings; (b) descriptive validity, operationalized by correlations with q-sorts provided by the examinees' therapists; and (c) incremental descriptive validity, operationalized by incremental prediction of the therapist q-sorts by the MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF, one over the other. Descriptions from corresponding MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF score reports were highly intercorrelated. Ratings from both were valid predictors of therapist descriptions, and neither clearly outperformed the other in terms of incremental validity.

The ADHD Symptom Infrequency Scale (ASIS): A novel measure designed to detect adult ADHD simulators.

The current project outlines the development of the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptom Infrequency Scale (ASIS), a stand-alone measure designed to identify individuals feigning or exaggerating symptoms to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. Over the course of 3 studies, valid data was collected from 402 participants assigned to control, simulator, ADHD diagnosed, or possible undiagnosed ADHD groups. Group assignment was based on self-reported history of ADHD diagnosis including information about the credentials of diagnosing professional and methods used. The ASIS includes an Infrequency Scale (INF) designed to detect rarely reported symptoms of ADHD and several clinical scales designed to measure genuine symptoms. The final version of the ASIS demonstrated high internal consistency for the INF (α = .96) and the ADHD Total scales (α= .96). Convergent validity for the ADHD Total was established through a strong correlation with Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (r = .92). Initial validation of the INF yielded high discriminability between groups (d = 2.76; 95% confidence interval [2.17, 3.36]). The final INF scale demonstrated strong sensitivity (.79-.86) and excellent specificity (.89). Using our study's malingering base rate of 29%, positive and negative predictive values were strong (.71-.79 and .92-.93, respectively). Additional information is provided for a range of base rates. Current results suggest that the ASIS has potential as a reliable and valid measure of ADHD that is sensitive to malingering when compared to a sample of individuals self-reporting a history of ADHD diagnosis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

The role of common method variance in MMPI-2-RF response option augmentation.

Several studies have shown that response option augmentation (ROA), or increasing the number of response options of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-2-RF, improves the reliability of scale scores but does not improve convergent validity. However, these studies have not taken into account the response format of criterion measures, which may represent a form of common method variance (CMV). This study examined ROA with the MMPI-2-RF to determine whether number of response options is a source of CMV that may have affected previous estimates of convergent validity. The study used a repeated measures design with self-report and informant-report measures to examine differences between reliability and validity on scores from ROA and standard dichotomous MMPI-2-RF RC scales. Results replicate those of previous studies, suggesting that ROA with the MMPI-2-RF leads to small increases in internal consistency, but near-zero gains in convergent validity. Results are unable to support the proposition that CMV, due either to respondent or number of response options, meaningfully inflates correlations between measures with identical number of response options. These results consistently showing no meaningful increase in convergent validity across several studies may have implications for test authors deciding on the number of response options. Limitations and future directions are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).