PAI Flashcards
What is the Personality Assessment Inventory?
The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) is designed to assess various aspects of a person’s personality and psychopathology. The PAI is used in clinical, forensic, and research settings to provide insights into a person’s psychological functioning.
How many items does the PAI entail and how long does it take to administer?
344 items and approximately 50 minutes
How many points are there on the likert response scale and what are their descriptors?
Responses are given on a four point likert scale ranging from:
- False, not at all True
- Slightly True
- Mainly True
- Very True
What grade reading level is the PAI?
4th Grade English
How many different scales does the PAI include?
22 total scales including:
- 4 validity scales
- 11 clinical scales
- 5 treatment scales
- 2 interpersonal scales
How are the scores standardised and reported in the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)
The scores are standardised and reported as T-scores, which have a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10.
What are the general ranges for low, moderate, and high T-scores and what they indicate about the severity of symptoms.
Low Scores (< 40): Minimal symptoms, good functioning.
Moderate Scores (40-59): Average or typical levels, mild symptoms.
High Scores (60-69): Elevated symptoms, moderate distress or impairment.
Clinically Significant High Scores (≥ 70): Severe symptoms, significant distress or impairment.
What are the 4 Validity scales?
Inconsistency
Infrequency
Negative Impression
Positive Impression
What is the purpose of the Validity scales?
The validity scales assess the test-taking attitude and the validity of the responses. They help determine if the test results are reliable and if any response patterns suggest potential distortions.
What is the clinical use for the Validity Scales?
Validity Checks: Clinicians use these scales to determine the reliability and validity of the test results. If any of the validity scales are significantly elevated, the clinician will interpret the clinical scales with caution and consider the possibility of response biases.
Profile Validity: High validity scale scores can suggest the need for further investigation into the reasons behind the response patterns and may indicate that the profile should be interpreted with caution or possibly retaken.
What does the Inconsistency (INC) scale measure?
The Inconsistency (INC) scale measures the consistency of responses across similar items.
What do high and low scores on the Inconsistency (INC) scale indicate?
Inconsistency (INC)
High: Indicate unusual or atypical responses. Individuals may not have understood the items, may not have been paying attention, or may have been responding randomly. High inconsistency scores can make the overall profile less reliable.
Low: Reflects a high level of consistency in responses. This suggests that the individual understood the items and responded thoughtfully and consistently throughout the assessment.
What does the Infrequency (INF) scale measure?
The Infrequency scale detects unusual or atypical responses that may indicate random answering or malingering.
What do high and low scores on the Infrequency (INF) indicate?
Infrequency (INF)
High: Indicates that the individual endorsed a high number of infrequent or atypical responses. This can suggest random responding, malingering, or misunderstanding the items. High INF scores call into question the validity of the test results.
Low: Suggests that the individual’s responses are typical and expected. Low INF scores indicate that the individual responded in a manner consistent with normative expectations, supporting the validity of the results.
What does the Negative Impression (NIM) scale measure?
The Negative Impression (NIM) Scale assesses the tendency to present oneself in an overly negative manner.
What do high and low scores on the Negative Impression (NIM) scale indicate?
Negative Impression (NIM)
High: Reflects an exaggerated negative self-presentation. This can indicate that the individual may be attempting to appear more distressed or impaired than they actually are, possibly for secondary gain (e.g., seeking attention, avoiding responsibilities, or malingering).
Low: Suggests that the individual is not endorsing an unusually high number of negative symptoms. This indicates a more accurate and balanced self-presentation, supporting the validity of the results.
What does the Positive Impression (PIM) scale measure?
The Positive Impression (PIM) scale assesses the tendency to present oneself in an overly positive manner.
What do high and low scores on the Positive Impression (PIM) scale indicate?
Positive Impression (PIM)
High: Indicates that the individual is presenting themselves in an overly favourable light. This can suggest that the individual is minimizing problems or attempting to appear more virtuous or well-adjusted than they actually are. High PIM scores can undermine the validity of the profile.
Low: Suggests that the individual is not endorsing an unusually high number of positive attributes. This indicates a more balanced and realistic self-presentation, supporting the validity of the results.
What are the 11 clinical scales of the PAI?
Somatic Complaints
Anxiety
Anxiety-Related Disorders
Depression
Mania
Paranoia
Schizophrenia
Borderline Features
Antisocial Features
Alcohol Problems
Drug Problems
What are the clinical uses of the clinical scales?
Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
Treatment Planning
Monitoring Progress
Risk Assessment
What does the Somatic Complaint (SOM) scale measure?
The Somatic Complaint scale assesses the extent and nature of physical symptoms and health concerns that may have a psychological origin.
What are the 3 subscales for Somatic Complaints (SOM) and what do they measure?
SOM-C (Conversion): Symptoms suggesting a conversion disorder, where psychological stress is expressed as physical symptoms.
SOM-S (Somatisation): General complaints about physical functioning and health.
SOM-H (Health Concerns): Preoccupation with health and illness.
What do high and low scores on the Somatic Complaints (SOM) scale indicate?
Somatic Complaint (SOM)
High: Indicates significant concern with physical health and numerous physical complaints, which may be disproportionate to any actual medical condition. The individual may frequently seek medical attention and be preoccupied with health issues.
Low: Suggests minimal concern with physical health and few physical complaints. The individual is likely to report good health and not focus excessively on physical symptoms.
What does the Anxiety (ANX) scale measure?
The Anxiety (ANX) scale measures the severity and types of anxiety symptoms, including cognitive, affective, and physiological components.
What are the 3 subscales for Anxiety (ANX) and what do they measure?
ANX-C (Cognitive): Worry and cognitive symptoms of anxiety, such as difficulty concentrating.
ANX-A (Affective): Emotional symptoms of anxiety, including feelings of nervousness and fear.
ANX-P (Physiological): Physical manifestations of anxiety, such as sweating and dizziness.
What do high and low scores on the Anxiety (ANX) scale indicate?
Anxiety (ANX)
High: Reflects significant levels of anxiety, including pervasive worry, nervousness, and physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g., sweating, trembling). The individual may experience difficulty concentrating and feel constantly on edge.
Low: Indicates little to no anxiety. The individual is likely to be calm, relaxed, and free from pervasive worry or nervousness.
What does the Anxiety-Related Disorders (ARD) measure?
The Anxiety-Related Disorders (ARD) scale assesses symptoms related to specific anxiety disorders, such as OCD, phobias, and trauma-related conditions.
What are the 3 subscales for Anxiety-Related Disorders (ARD) and what do they measure?
ARD-O (Obsessive-Compulsive): Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, such as intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.
ARD-P (Phobias): Specific fears and phobias.
ARD-T (Traumatic Stress): Symptoms related to trauma, such as flashbacks and hypervigilance.
