Personality Assessment and Self-Report Insturments Flashcards
What percentage of neuropsychologists use objective personality measures?
75%
What is the 12-month prevalence of mental illness in the US?
Adults= 26.2%
Children (8-13 yrs old)= 13%
ADHD is the most common disorder affecting children (8.5%)
What percent of adults receive treatment for mental health problems?
13.4%
What is the economic burden of treatment for mental illness?
300 billion in 2002
What is the most widely researched and used personality inventory in adult clinical samples?
MMPI-2
How was the MMPI initially developed?
- in 1943 (Hathaway and McKinley)
- Using an empirical keying approach rather than a logical keying approach with face validity
Name some main critiques of the initial MMPI?
- Adequacy of standardization sample
- Outdated and sexist language
When was the MMPI-2 developed?
1989 & utilized a large normative sample to be more representative of the US population
Do T-score values share the same meaning across MMPI scales?
No, raw scores are not normally distributed and linear T-score conversion maintains the same skewed distributions
Do T-score values share the same meaning across MMPI-2 scales?
Yes, the MMPI-2 clinical scales utilize uniform T-score conversion to ensure that skewness and kurtosis are similar across scales
T-scores across scales have an equivalent percentile and interpretive meaning
How many items does the MMPI-2 have?
567 true-false items
What age range is the MMPI-2 appropriate with?
18-84
What reading level is required for the MMPI-2?
5th grade
How long does the MMPI-2 take to complete?
60-90 minutes
What are the 9 validity scales of the MMPI-2?
Cannot say, VRIN, TRIN, F, Fb, Fp, L, K, and S
What are the 10 basic clinical scales of the MMPI-2?
Hs, D, Hy, Pd, Mf, Pa, Pt, Sc, Ma, Si
At what level do clinicians typically identify T scores on the basic clinical scales as clinically meaningful?
65 or greater
What is the first step in MMPI-2 interpretation
-Inspection of the validity scales
-Omission of 30 or more on Cannot Say scale= do not interpret
-Random or variable responding= VRIN
-Disproportionate true or false = TRIN
-Defensive resonding= L, K, S
-Exaggeration= F, Fp, Fb
Exaggeration of somatic/cog = Symptom Validity Scale and Response Bias Scale
How are the clinical scales of the MMPI-2 typically interpreted?
- Using configurations of scale elevations
- Signifies a “code type”
What is the K scale and when should the K correction be used on the MMPI-2?
- K scale: developed to identify subtle attempts to deny psychopathology
- K correction: meant to counteract defensive responding and provide more accurate understanding
- K correction should be used when employing code type interpretations
What does interpretation of the Content Scales on the MMPI-2 provide?
- Content interpretation allows the examiner to understand what emotions and attitudes have been directly communicated
- Clinical scales considers the way scale items are endorsed regardless of specific content
Why were the RC scales developed on the MMPI-2?
To improve distinctiveness of psychological constructions by removing an overall emotional complaint of distress factor that is common to the basic clinical scales (i.e., Emotional Demoralization; RCd)
What are demographic considerations of the MMPI-2?
- Older individuals show slightly higher elevations on clinical scales relevant to somatic complaints (small differences and don’t warrant age-specific norms)
- Raw score differences occur between men and woman and warrant gender-specific norms
What is the typical finding on the MMPI-2 for those undergoing various medical procedures?
- Higher clinical elevations noted on scales related to somatic complaints and physical discomfort (e.g., Hs, Hy, and RC1)
- Reactive emotional difficulties following diagnosis and treatment for emotional distress (RCd), depression (D, RC2), and anxiety (Pt, RC7)
What are some examples of conditions in which the MMPI-2 is useful in identifying somatization?
-chronic pain, persisting postconcussive sequelae, and nonepileptic seizures
What are some neurologic conditions that have been included in MMPI-2 studies?
-MS, seziures, amnestic disorder, stroke, PD, and other movement disorders
Should a “neurocorrection” be used that parses purported brain-based versus psychiatric factors on clinical scale elevations of the MMPI-2?
No, this corrupts the integrity and interpretive value of the scales and tends to underestimate the level of psychopathology.
Is the MMPI-2 useful in discriminating epileptic seizures from nonepileptic seizures?
No, research suggests a high false positive rate.
How is the MMPI-2 typically utilized in TBI samples?
- Useful in identifying premorbid psychological difficulties that are likely to account for or reinforce symptoms following mTBI
- Litigants with hisstories of mTBI produce HIGHER validity and clinical scale elevations than those with mod-severe TBI
What MMPI-2 scales are litigants and claimants most likely to show symptom exaggeration on?
Those pertaining to unusual injury complaints (FBS) and/or cognitive limitation (RBS)
What is the MMPI-RF?
- Created in 2008
- Developed to represent the clinically significant substance of the MMPI-2
How many validity and substantive scales does the MMPI-RF have?
- 9 validity scales
- 42 substantive scales: 9, RC scales from MMPI-2, 23 specific problem scales, 2 interest scales, and revisions of the 5 MMPI-2 personality psycholpathology 5 scapes (PSY-5)
What are the key test properties of the MMPI-RF?
-338 true-false items
Ages 18-83
-5th to 8th grade reading level
-35-50 min to complete
Does the MMPI-RF utilize a 2 or 3-point code type like the MMPI-2?
No, it is interpreted with three H-O scales and then specific problem scales
What are the three H-O scales of the MMPI-RF?
- Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction (high loadings from RCd, RC2, and RC7)
- Thought Dysfunction (high loadings from RC6 and RC8)
- Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction (high loadings from RC4 and RC9)
How are the MMPI-RF specific problems scales divided?
-They are divided by somatic/cognitive, internalizing, externalizing, interpersonal, and interest scales
What is the age range for the normative sample of the MMPI-RF?
-18-85, similar to the MMPI-2
Does the MMPI-RF use gender based norms?
No, unlike the MMPI-2, the MMPI-RF makes use of non-gender based norms
Which subscales of the MMPI-RF bear the most relevance to symptom exaggeration of malingering?
-Similar to the MMPI2: FBS-R, RBS, and Fs
Which scales are litigating TBI samples more likely to exhibit elevations on the MMPI-RF?
-Those that are sensitive to somatic complaints (RC1) and emotional distress (RCd, RC2, and RC7)
How were clinical conditions selected for the PAI?
- Based on their history of importance in current medical disorder nosology
- and their significance in contemporary diagnostic practice
- language resembles the DSM-IV criteria
What is the structure of the PAI?
- 22 non-overlapping scales; 4 validity scales, 11 clinical scales, 5 treatment scales, and 2 interpersonal scales
- The treatment scales are areas important with regard to clinical care and prognosis -The interpersonal scales assess one’s approach to relationships
What score is considered clinically significant on the PAI?
A T-score of 70 or above relative to the community sample
What are the key test properties of the PAI?
- 344 items w/ 4 anchors (false, slightly true, mainly true, and very true)
- Ages 18-89
- 4th grade reading level or higher
- Takes 45-75 minutes
How many items must one omit to deem the PAI uninterpretable?
17 or more items
Describe the four validity scales of the PAI.
1) Inconsistency (CN): carelessness or confusion in responding
2) Infrequency (INF): idiosyncratic responding atypical of normative and clinical samples
3) Negative impression management (NIM): symptom exaggeration
4) Positive impression management (PIM): denial of minor faults and defisive responding
There are other supplemental validity indicators such as the malingering index and defensiveness index
1) What age of group shows mean scores on select clinical scales that are 5-7 T-score points above the mean of the PAI?
2) What age group shows mean scores that are typically below the normative sample?
1) Those who are 30 or younger
2) Those who are 60 or older
Describe the impact of gender, ethnicity, and education on the PAI?
Gender: no difference between men and women
Ethnicity: Differences in ethnicity are small
Education: Individuals with 4-11 years show T-scores that are 4-5 points higher
Is the PAI or MMPI-2 better at detecting symptom exaggeration?
The MMPI-2
Describe the format of the MMPI-A.
- 7 validity scales
- 10 clinical scales
- 15 content scales
-Standardized on 1620 adolescents from 8 states
What are the key test properties of the MMPI-A?
- 478 true-false items
- Ages 14-18
- 6th grade reading level or higher
- 45-60 minutes to complete
What is the T-score cut-offs for the MMPI-A?
-MMPI-A uses a range of 60-65 to indicate clinical attention while the MMPI-2 uses a cut-off score of 65
- Of note, the MMPI-A and MMPI-2 norms were developed using the same target distribution to assure percentile equivalence across the 2 forms.
- If a teen is tested with the MMPI-A then later with the MMPI-2, the scores can be compared
What are the adolescent-specific Content Scales on the MMPI-A?
- School Problems
- Low Aspirations
- Alienation
-A new scale, Conduct Problems, was also substituted for the MMPI-2 Antisocial Practices
What are the demographic considerations for the MMPI-A?
- Developmentally inappropriate for children under 12 (really should be 14 or older)
- Separate norms based on gender
Are 18 years olds given the MMPI-2 or MMPI-A?
Either! Normative and clinical samples for both instruments include 18-year-olds.
MMPI-A may be better for those in HS, and MMPI-2 better for those in college, working, or living alone.
What is the structure of the PAI-A?
- 246 test items
- Similar to the PAI as it has 4 validity scales, 11 clinical scales, 5 treatment scales, and 2 interpersonal scales
What are the key test properties of the PAI-A?
- 264 items rates as false, slightly true, mainly true, or very true,
- Ages 12-18 (18 yr olds can be administered either the PAI-A or PAI)
- 4th grade reading level
- 45 minutes to complete
Which adolescent personality measure assesses borderline features
The PAI-A
What is the Personality Inventory of Children-Second Edition (PIC-2)?
- Parent rating scale of children’s behavior
- Evaluates the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and interpersonal adjustment of children and adolescents
What are the key test properties of the PIC-2?
- 275 true-false items
- Ages 5-19
- 40 minutes to complete
- T-scores normed by child’s gender
What is the structure of the PIC-2?
- 3 validity scales
- 9 adjustment scales
- 21 adjustment subscales
What is the Personality Inventory for Youth?
- A self-report measure that is used in conjunction with the PIC-2
- Assesses emotional and behavioral adjustment, family interaction, and school and academic functioning
- Completed by a parent
- 4 validity scales, 9 clinical scales (mirror the PIC-2), and 24 subscales
What are key test properties of the PIY?
- 270 true-false items
- Ages 9-19
- 3rd grade reading level required
- 30-60 minutes to complete
- T-scores are normed by the child’s gender
What are the three major approaches to developing self-report measures?
1) theory-guided
2) factor analysis
3) criterion-key
What are the pros of self-report measures?
- brief and straightforward
- easy to administer
- examine many symptoms
What are the cons of self-report measures?
- Face valid without embedded validity indicators
- Not diagnostic
- Often unreliable due to overlapping symptoms with other disorders
What is the BDI-2?
- Self-report measure assessing depressive symptoms
- Age range : 13-86
- Items rated on 4 point scale
- Symptoms endorsed within last 2 weeks
- Corresponds with depressive disorders criteria outlined by DSM-IV
What is the two-factor solution of the BDI-2?
1) Somatic-affective
2) Cognitive
What are the score ranges of the BDI-2?
0-13- minimal
14-19- mild
20-28- moderate
29-63 severe
Describe the demographic considerations of the BDI-II.
- No evidence of a significant relationship btw age and symptom endorsements
- No consistent evidence of gender effect
- Symptoms are inversely correlated with education
- No consistent association with SES
What is the Beck Anxiety Inventory?
- 21-item self report measure assessing anxiety
- Age range: 17-80
- Constructed to assess anxious symptoms that overalp minimally with depression
- Items rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 003
- Symptoms measures within the last week
What are the score ranges of the BAI?
0-7- minimal
8-15-mild
16-25-moderate
26-63- severe
Describe the demographic considerations of the BAI.
- Negative correlation between anxious symptoms and age
- Women endorse significantly more sx than men
Why is the BAI of lesser utility in individuals with physical complaints that are a normal aspect of the aging process?
-Many of the BAI items reflect physical manifestations of anxiety
What is the Geriatric Depression Scale?
- Self-report measure of depressive symptoms
- Can be used in those 17 and older
- Dichotomous answering (yes vs. no)
What are the score ranges of the GDS?
0-9- normal
10-19- mild
20-30- severe
Demographic considerations of the GDS
- No relationship between age and GDS symptoms
- Men may be at risk of false-negative results compared to women
Why is the GDS more appropriate in elderly samples than the BDI?
- It does not include somatic symptoms that may be a normal aspect of the aging process
- It is less cognitively demanding.
What is the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI)?
- Self-report & used to assess acute and chronic symptoms of post-traumatic stress
- 100 items endorsed according to 4-point anchors
- 3 validity scales & 10 clinical scales
- Appropriate for us in those 8-88
- 5th to 7th grade reading level and up
What is the cut-offs for clinical significance on the TSI?
-T-scores of 65 or higher
What do the validity scales on the TSI assess?
-Defensiveness, possible overreporting of symptoms, and inconsistent responding
Describe the demographic considerations for the TSI.
- Younger responders exhibit subtly higher scale elevations
- Test results are normed by gender
What is the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)?
- Parent & teacher rating scale developed to examine behavior and executive functioning in peds
- 2 validity scales, 8 subscales
- 86 items on a 3-point scale
- 5-18 years of age
What are the two broad components of executive functioning and behavior that the BRIEF attempts to reflect?
1) Behavior Regulation Index
2) Metacognition Index
These combine to a single Global Executive Composite
What are demographic considerations of the BRIEF?
- T scores normed by age
- T scores normed by gender (of the child not parent)
- Negative correlation with parental education
- Low SES families rated as more dysexecutive
With what clinical syndrome does the BRIEF assist with diagnosis?
- ADHD
- Behavioral Inhibition Index is highly correlated with hyperactivity and ADHD-C
- Metacognition Index is highly correlated with inattention
What is the Child Behavior Checklist (CBLC)?
- Assesses behavior problem (internalizing & externalizing) in children
- Parent rating scale but there is also a teacher’s report form and self-report interview (for ages 11-18)
- Two versions: preschool checklist (ages 18 months to 5 years) and the school-aged version (ages 6-18)
What are the key test properties of the CBLC?
- 99 items (preschool) and 118 items (school-aged) rated on 3-point scales
- T-scores are normed by age and gender
What is the Conners’ Rating Scales-Revised (CSR-R)?
- Assesses externalizing behaviors and symptoms of ADHD
- Parent, teacher, and self-report forms
- Ages 3-17 for parent and teacher
- Ages 12-17 for self-report
- 4-point rating scale
- T scores normed by age and gender
- All questions are negatively worded
Describe the reliability of the CSR-R between parents and teachers.
- Moderate to high reliability between parents
- Moderate to high between teachers
- Low between parent and teacher- parents indicate more deviancy than teachers
What is a Clinical Scale Profile?
Results of personality testing that depicts the magnitude and quality of psychological/emotional difficulties across various symptom-specific scales.
What is code type interpretation?
Interpretative strategy that allows the examiner to identify configurations of scale elevations that can be summarized according to previously established descriptors.
What is an empirical keying approach?
Method of test development that incorporates items that optimally differentiate clinical psychiatric groups from healthy control samples regardless of the specific content (e.g., MMPI).
What is face validity?
- Simplistic form of validity that allows examiners to determine if a measure is assessing a construct of interest.
- Used in a logical-keying approach to test development
- Often at the expense of discriminant validity
What is a linear T-score conversion?
-The direct transformation of raw scores into T-score equivalents
What is a logical keying approach?
Entails the selection and keying of items that are thought to be clearly relevant to a given construct of interest.
What is a uniform T-score conversion>
Method of converting raw scores into T scores that ensures the skewness and kurtosis are similar across scales.
The T scores have equivalent percentiles and retain similar interpretive meaning.
What is a validity scale profile?
Results of personality testing that informs test-taking attitude and credibility of self-reported symptoms.
