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MMPI-2. William P. Wattles, Ph.D. Francis Marion University. MMPI-2 with Adolescents. Should not be used with people less than 18. MMPI-2 with Older Adults. Higher scores on: 1, 2, 3, 0 Lower scores on: 4, 9 MMPI-2 generally valid with older adults. Studies with older adults.
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MMPI-2 William P. Wattles, Ph.D. Francis Marion University
MMPI-2 with Adolescents • Should not be used with people less than 18
MMPI-2 with Older Adults • Higher scores on: • 1, 2, 3, 0 • Lower scores on: • 4, 9 • MMPI-2 generally valid with older adults
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
Cohort Effects • Patterns of disease frequency due to an exposure occurring to a group of people at about the same time in their lives
MMPI-2 with Ethnic Minorities • Assessing MMPI-2 and minorities • Any difference = bias • Assess Validity
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
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.
MMPI-2 with Hispanics • Differences between groups relatively small and not statistically or clinically significant. • Language and reading obviously an issue.
Medical Patients • Large Mayo clinic study suggests that medical problems alone do not result in elevated profiles.
Screening for Substance Abuse • Elevated Scale 4 • Mac Andrews Scale • AAS • APS • Beware false negatives
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
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.
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
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
Report writing • Test-taking attitude • Yea-saying (TRIN) • L scale naïve, global denial • K scale defensive, self-critical
Report Writing • Adjustment Level • Psychological comfort, overall elevation • Scores above 65 suggest discomfort. • Welsh’s Anxiety (A) • Ego Strength (ES)
Characteristic Functioning • Symptoms • Major needs • Dependency, achievement • Perceptions • View of others and optimism • Reactions to stress • Coping style and effectiveness • Self-concept
Characteristic Functioning • Sexual orientation • Emotional control • Interpersonal relationships • Psychological resources
Dynamics and Etiology • Higher order inferences about underlying dynamics and cause
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.
Treatment Implications. • A primary goal of assessment is to make treatment recommendations. • To treat or not • Type of treatment • Prognosis • Receptiveness to treatment • Motivation