1 mmpi-2 william p. wattles, ph.d. francis marion university
TRANSCRIPT
1
MMPI-2
William P. Wattles, Ph.D.
Francis Marion University
2
MMPI-2 with Adolescents
• Should not be used with people less than 18
3
MMPI-2 with Older Adults
• Higher scores on: – 1, 2, 3, 0
• Lower scores on:– 4, 9
• MMPI-2 generally valid with older adults
4
Studies with older adults
• Most studies cross-sectional– Cohort factors– One longitudinal study found similar results
• Differences do not suggest pathology but genuine concerns about health. – Age-related changes in physical health
5
Cohort Effects
• Patterns of disease frequency due to an exposure occurring to a group of people at about the same time in their lives
6
MMPI-2 with Ethnic Minorities
• Assessing MMPI-2 and minorities– Any difference = bias– Assess Validity
7
Data on African-Americans
• Slightly higher scores on scales 8 & 9.
• Not seen when matched for demographics, ses
• Differences tend to be associated with relevant extratest characteristics.
Explanation for differences
• Accurate measurement of different personality traits.
• Social desirability• Role conflicts• Modesty expectations• Language/experience
8
MMPI-2 with Ethnic Minorities
• No consistent differences across all populations
• Moderator variables such as education, income, age, and type of pathology explain most differences.
9
10
MMPI-2 with Hispanics
• Differences between groups relatively small and not statistically or clinically significant.
• Language and reading obviously an issue.
11
Medical Patients
• Large Mayo clinic study suggests that medical problems alone do not result in elevated profiles.
12
Screening for Substance Abuse
• Elevated Scale 4• Mac Andrews Scale• AAS• APS• Beware false negatives
13
MMPI-2 and employment screening
• Screen for psychopathology– Limited to sensitive occupations
• Air traffic controller
• Police officer
• Nuclear power plant operator
• Predict quality of job performance– Negative work attitude scale interesting– MMPI-2 Not recommended
14
MMPI-2 and employment screening
• Applicants usually defensive.
• Invalid profile for defensiveness should not be cause to disqualify.
• Thus, scores above 65 meaningful
• 60-65 may indicate problems.
15
Report writing
• Interpretive strategy
• Use MMPI-2 to generate hypotheses
• Not all interpretive data applies to each subject
• MMPI-2 deal in probabilities
• Blind interpretation problematic
16
Report writing
• Test-taking attitude– Missing items may indicate indecisiveness,
ambivalence – Long test times can mean indecisiveness,
confusion– Qualitative analysis of behavior
• Upset
• Atypical difficulties
17
Report writing
• Test-taking attitude– Yea-saying (TRIN)– L scale naïve, global denial– K scale defensive, self-critical
18
Report Writing
• Adjustment Level– Psychological comfort,
overall elevation
– Scores above 65 suggest discomfort.
– Welsh’s Anxiety (A)
– Ego Strength (ES)
19
Characteristic Functioning
1. Symptoms
2. Major needs1. Dependency, achievement
3. Perceptions1. View of others and optimism
4. Reactions to stress1. Coping style and effectiveness
5. Self-concept
20
Characteristic Functioning
6. Sexual orientation
7. Emotional control
8. Interpersonal relationships
9. Psychological resources
21
Dynamics and Etiology
• Higher order inferences about underlying dynamics and cause
22
Diagnostic Impressions
• MMPI-2 can be a tool in settling on a diagnosis if required for insurance etc.
• Diagnosis can be in the form of a symptom description.
23
Treatment Implications.
• A primary goal of assessment is to make treatment recommendations.– To treat or not– Type of treatment– Prognosis– Receptiveness to treatment– Motivation
24