Prospective Comparison of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and MMPI-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) in Predicting Treatment Outcomes Among Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relative utility of the most updated MMPI adult instrument, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), which was designed to address psychometric limitations of the MMPI-2. To this end, we compared mean scores and correlates of emotional distress treatment outcomes using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales in a sample of 230 patients (73 males, 157 females) who had completed an interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program. Structural equation modeling analyses indicated that higher scale scores from all the MMPI-2-RF substantive domains were meaningfully associated with worse emotional distress outcomes, whereas the MMPI-2 Clinical Scales generally did not have any meaningful associations. Similar results were found in additional analyses using a clinically significant change framework with more direct clinical implications. The results of this study provide preliminary support for the use of the MMPI-2-RF among patients with chronic low back pain

Associations Between MMPI-2-RF Scale Scores and Institutional Violence Among Patients Detained Under Sexually Violent Predator Laws

Sexually violent predator (SVP) laws allow the postprison civil commitment of sex offenders to a secure psychiatric hospital because of mental abnormality and posing a serious risk to public safety. Research on predictors of future institutional violence in this population is lacking because adequately sized samples are difficult to obtain. In the current study, we examined psychological predictors of future institutional violence in a sample of 171 psychiatrically hospitalized males detained or civilly committed under an SVP laws. Using the Minnesota Multiphasic-Personality Inventory-2–Restructured Form (Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008/2011), we found that scales assessing thought dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, and externalizing behaviors were associated with future physical violence at the hospital. Relative risk ratio analyses indicated that SVPs producing elevations on these scales were at 1.5–2.5 times greater risk of future physical violence than those without elevations. Overall, the results suggest the Minnesota Multiphasic-Personality Inventory-2–Restructured Form is associated with future institutional violence among SVPs. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed

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

Examining DBT Day Treatment in Treating Mood Dysregulation Expectancy and Anxiety in Women Diagnosed with Eating Disorders

Eating disorders (EDs), particularly anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), are characterized by emotional and behavioral disturbances in eating patterns and body image that result in significant distress and functional impairment (as reported by APA, (APA dictionary of psychology, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, 2015)). Ben-Porath and colleagues (Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 40:115-123, 2010) have researched the effectiveness of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) day treatment program in reducing negative mood regulation and anxiety among women diagnosed with AN, BN, and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). The current study extended past research on the effectiveness of DBT day treatment by analyzing the improvement in these patients’ scores on the beck anxiety inventory (BAI) and the generalized expectancy for negative mood regulation (NMR) Scale after treatment. We compared pre- and post-treatment scores using paired samples t-tests. We also examined rates of clinically significant change in these areas post-treatment. The results indicated that participants demonstrated a reduction in expectancies for negative mood dysregulation and anxiety after undergoing DBT day treatment for EDs. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed

Patterns of MMPI-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) Validity Scale Scores Observed Across Veteran Affairs Settings

The purpose of this investigation is to provide descriptive information on veteran response styles for a variety of VA referral types using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-2- Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), which has well-supported protocol validity scales. The sample included 17,640 veterans who were administered the MMPI-2-RF between when it was introduced to the VA system in 2013 until May 31, 2015 at any VA in the United States. This study examines frequencies of protocol invalidity based on the MMPI-2-RF’s validity scales and provides comprehensive descriptive findings on validity scale scores within the VA. Three distinct trends can be seen. First, a majority of the sample did not elevate any of the validity scales beyond their recommended interpretive cut-scores, indicating that scores on the substantive scales would be deemed valid and interpretable in those cases. Second, elevation rates are higher for the overreporting scales in comparison to the underreporting and non-content-based invalid responding scales. Lastly, a majority of those with an elevation on one overreporting validity indicator also had an elevation on at least one other overreporting scale. Implications for practice and the utility of the MMPI-2-RF within the VA are discussed

Descriptive Profiles of the MMPI-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) across a National Sample of Four Veteran Affairs Treatment Settings

This investigation provides descriptive information on substantive scale scores from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) across four common service locations within Veterans Affairs (VA): PTSD clinical team, individual substance use treatment, primary medical care, and residential polytrauma rehabilitation. Test protocols for these four service settings are drawn from a national sample of all MMPI-2-RF and converted MMPI-2 administrations between January 1, 2008 and May 31, 2015 using the VA Mental Health Assist system at any VA across the United States. Frequency of substantive scale elevation and descriptive findings are examined. Results of this investigation suggest that there are differences between VA service locations on the MMPI-2-RF substantive scales, the magnitude of difference depends on the substantive scale examined, and the pattern of elevation within service location follows common clinical concerns for the settings. Implications for the clinical use, and research with, the MMPI-2-RF within the VA and with the veteran population are discussed. The views expressed in this manuscript do not reflect those of the Department of Veteran Affairs or of the United States Government

Predicting Postprobationary Job Performance of Police Officers Using CPI and MMPI–2–RF Test Data Obtained During Preemployment Psychological Screening

We examined associations between prehire California Psychological Inventory (CPI) and prorated Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form (MMPI–2–RF) scores (calculated from MMPI profiles) and supervisor ratings for a sample of 143 male police officers. Substantive scale scores in this sample were meaningfully lower than those obtained by the tests’ normative samples in the case of the MMPI–2–RF and meaningfully higher in the case of the CPI (indicating less psychological dysfunction). Test scores from both instruments showed substantial range restriction, consistent with those produced by members of the police candidate comparison groups (Corey & Ben-Porath, 2014Corey, D. M., & Ben-Porath, Y. S. (2014). User\u27s guide for the MMPI-2-RF Police Candidate Interpretive Report. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press. [Google Scholar]; Roberts & Johnson, 2001Roberts, M. D., & Johnson, M. (2001). CPI: Police and public safety selection report technical manual. Unpublished manuscript. Retrieved fromhttp://media.post.ca.gov/. [Google Scholar]). After applying a statistical correction for range restriction, we found a number of meaningful associations between both CPI and MMPI–2–RF substantive scale scores and supervisor ratings. For the MMPI–2–RF, findings for scales from the emotional dysfunction and interpersonal functioning domains of the test were particularly strong. For the CPI, findings for scales indicating conformity with social norms, integrity, and tolerance were strong, as were the findings for an index indicating risk of termination. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that MMPI–2–RF and CPI scores complement each other, accounting for incremental variance in the prediction of job-related variables over and above each other. Implications of these findings for assessment science and practice are discussed

Time savings and accuracy of a simulated flexible and conditional administration of the MMPI-2-RF in presurgical psychological evaluations of bariatric surgery candidates

Background: The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2- RF) has empirically validated utility in presurgical psychological evaluations of bariatric surgery patients. However, clinicians may prefer shorter, symptom-focused measures. Objectives: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility and potential administration time savings of a proposed flexible and conditional (FCA) administration of the MMPI-2-RF in presurgical evaluations of bariatric surgery candidates. Setting: Bariatric surgery candidates evaluated at a large hospital as well as a private practice in the Midwest. Methods: MMPI-2-RF scores were available for a total of 4099 adult bariatric surgery candidates from 2 separate samples. The hospital sample included 911 males and 2430 females. The average BMI was 49.3 kg/m2 (SD=11.0). The private practice sample included 105 males, 640 females, and 13 individuals who did not report gender. The average BMI was 48.8 kg/m2 (SD=8.4). The authors used a simulation design in which existing MMPI-2-RF responses were used to simulate an FCA administration. Results: The findings indicated that an FCA of the MMPI-2-RF closely approximates the amount of information typically gained from a full administration of the test in the 2 samples of bariatric surgery candidates. Items savings and estimated time savings ranged from 44% to 88% in both samples, depending on the number of conditionally administered scales. Conclusions: The present study supports the feasibility of an FCA of the MMPI-2-RF, potentially shortening administration time and reducing patient burden. However, the findings are limited because the accuracy and time savings are based on a simulation, not actual FCA administration

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 postoperativel