Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2
Introduction
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is one of the most widely used and researched psychological assessment tools. Developed to aid in the diagnosis and treatment planning for mental health disorders, the MMPI-2 has been extensively validated and refined since its inception. The inventory provides comprehensive insights through its scales. After you take the assessment which usually takes 1-2 hours to complete, we delve into the major scales of the MMPI-2 at the initial consultation, focusing on its clinical relevance based on your report.
Here, we highlight the purpose and an evidence-based overview of the major scales. The MMPI-2 consists of 10 primary clinical scales designed to assess a broad spectrum of psychological conditions. Assessing the combination of certain scales aids the psychologist to record your personality profile responsible for your ailments. Each of the following scale targets specific psychological symptoms and syndromes:
Hypochondriasis (Hs)
Purpose: This scale assesses concerns with bodily symptoms and health issues. Elevated scores may indicate excessive preoccupation with health and physical functioning.
Evidence: Research supports that the Hypochondriasis Scale is sensitive to detecting worries about serious illnesses and related somatic symptoms. Studies have shown that individuals with high scores often report significant physical complaints, which may not align with medical findings (Graham, 2011).
Depression (D)
Purpose: This scale measures symptoms of depression, including mood disturbances, cognitive impairments, and decreased motivation.
Evidence: The Depression Scale is well-validated and correlates strongly with other established measures of depression, such as the Beck Depression Inventory. It effectively identifies depressive symptomatology and is useful in monitoring treatment progress (Butcher, 2000).
Histrionic (Hy)
Purpose: This scale evaluates the tendency to use physical or psychological symptoms to cope with stress. It is often associated with dramatic or attention-seeking behavior.
Evidence: The Histrionic Scale has been found to be a valid indicator of awareness of problems and vulnerabilities. It is particularly useful in distinguishing between physical and psychological complaints (Graham, 2011).
Psychopathic Deviate (Pd)
Purpose: This scale assesses interpersonal relationships, social deviance, and a lack of social responsibility. It is indicative of antisocial behavior patterns.
Evidence: The Psychopathic Deviate Scale correlates with traits associated with antisocial behavior and has demonstrated utility in forensic settings for evaluating criminal behavior (Butcher, 2000).
Masculinity-Femininity (Mf)
Purpose: This scale measures traits traditionally associated with gender roles and stereotypes. It assesses interests, attitudes, and behaviors typically classified as masculine or feminine.
Evidence: While originally developed to study gender roles, the Masculinity-Femininity Scale is now used less frequently due to evolving views on gender. Its current application focuses on identifying deviations from normative gender role expectations (Graham, 2011).
Paranoia (Pa)
Purpose: This scale evaluates symptoms of paranoia, including suspiciousness, distrust, and delusional thoughts.
Evidence: The Paranoia Scale effectively identifies individuals with paranoid thinking and has shown high validity in distinguishing paranoid symptoms from other psychopathological conditions (Butcher, 2000).
Psychasthenia (Pt)
Purpose: This scale assesses symptoms related to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and fears.
Evidence: The Psychasthenia Scale has been validated as a measure of anxiety and related disorders. It correlates well with other anxiety inventories and is useful for identifying individuals with obsessive-compulsive tendencies (Graham, 2011).
Schizophrenia (Sc)
Purpose: This scale measures symptoms associated with schizophrenia, including disorganized thinking, hallucinations, and delusions.
Evidence: The Schizophrenia Scale is a reliable indicator of psychotic symptoms and is effective in assessing the severity of schizophrenia, associated personality types, and related disorders (Butcher, 2000).
Hypomania (Ma)
Purpose: This scale evaluates symptoms of hypomania, such as elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsivity.
Evidence: The Hypomania Scale has shown strong validity in identifying manic and hypomanic episodes. It is particularly useful in diagnosing bipolar disorders and monitoring mood fluctuations (Graham, 2011).
Social Introversion (Si)
Purpose: This scale assesses social introversion, shyness, and avoidance of social interactions.
Evidence: The Social Introversion Scale correlates with measures of social anxiety and introversion, providing valuable insights into social functioning and interpersonal relationships (Butcher, 2000).
Validity Scales
In addition to the clinical scales, the MMPI-2 includes several validity scales to assess the respondent’s approach to the test, such as:
Lie Scale (L)
Purpose: Measures the tendency to present oneself in an overly favorable light.
Evidence: The Lie Scale is effective in detecting response biases and has been shown to predict self-presentation tendencies (Graham, 2011).
Frequency Scale (F)
Purpose: Assesses the extent of unusual or atypical responses that may indicate exaggeration or malingering.
Evidence: The Frequency Scale is a robust indicator of response exaggeration and is useful in identifying individuals who may be feigning symptoms (Butcher, 2000).
Correction Scale (K)
Purpose: Measures self-control, interpersonal relationships, and self-esteem.
Evidence: The Correction Scale has demonstrated validity in assessing personality characteristics related to self-control and adjustment (Graham, 2011).
True Response Inconsistency (TRIN) and False Response Inconsistency (FRIN)
Purpose: Evaluate inconsistencies in responses to true-false items.
Evidence: TRIN and FRIN scales help identify response patterns that suggest random or inconsistent answering, which can affect the overall validity of the MMPI-2 results (Butcher, 2000).
Minor Scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) includes a variety of minor scales that provide additional insights into specific aspects of personality and psychopathology beyond the major clinical scales. These minor scales are designed to enhance the diagnostic precision and interpretive richness of the MMPI-2 profile. Some of the notable minor scales include the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale, the Behavioral/Medical Symptoms Scale (BMS), and the Addiction Potential Scale (APS). Each of these scales targets specific symptom domains, helping clinicians to gain a deeper understanding of the individual’s psychological state.
The PTSD Scale, for example, is specifically designed to identify symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, including intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors. This scale has been validated as a reliable tool for detecting PTSD symptoms and is particularly useful in both clinical and forensic settings where trauma histories are relevant. Similarly, the Behavioral/Medical Symptoms Scale (BMS) focuses on identifying a range of behavioral and medical complaints that may not be adequately covered by the primary clinical scales. This scale helps in uncovering underlying issues related to medical problems and behavioral disturbances that could impact psychological functioning.
The Addiction Potential Scale (APS) is another important minor scale that evaluates the risk of substance abuse and addiction-related behaviors. It assesses patterns of behavior and attitudes that are indicative of potential substance use problems. The APS is useful in contexts such as substance abuse treatment and prevention programs, where identifying individuals at risk for addiction is crucial. Together, these minor scales complement the MMPI-2’s major scales, offering a more comprehensive assessment of an individual’s psychological and behavioral health.
There is a total of 117 minor scales in the MMPI-2. These scales are broadly categorized under:
- Addiction Potential Scale (APS): Assesses the risk of substance abuse.
- Behavioral/Medical Symptoms Scale (BMS): Evaluates behavioral and medical complaints.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale: Identifies symptoms consistent with PTSD.
- Domain Scales: Include the Family Problems (FP) and Work Problems (WP) scales, which assess issues in personal and professional domains.
- Alcohol/Drug Problems (A/DP): Focuses on issues related to alcohol and drug use.
- Cynicism Scale (Cyn): Measures attitudes of distrust and skepticism toward others.
- Introduction to Basic Symptoms Scale (I-BSS): Evaluates basic psychological symptoms.
- Somatic Complaints Scale (SOM): Assesses complaints related to physical health and somatic symptoms.
- Psychopathological Symptoms Scale (PSY): Identifies symptoms of psychological disorders.
- Psychoticism Scale (PSYCH): Evaluates symptoms related to psychotic disorders.
- Social Desirability Scale (SDS): Measures the tendency to present oneself in an overly favorable manner.
- Revised Clinical Scales (RC Scales): Includes RC1 (Somatization), RC2 (Low Positive Emotions), RC3 (Cynicism), RC4 (Antisocial Behavior), RC6 (Paranoia), RC7 (Poor Family Relations), RC8 (Aberrant Experiences), and RC9 (Hypomania).
- Validity Scales: Measures aspects such as response consistency and self-report biases.
- Content Scales: Includes additional measures of specific psychological issues.
These minor scales enhance the MMPI-2’s ability to provide a nuanced and detailed psychological assessment, supplementing the major clinical scales with targeted evaluations of specific symptoms and behavioral patterns.
Applications in Clinical Practice
The MMPI-2 is utilized in a variety of clinical settings, for example:
Diagnostic Assessment: It assists clinicians in diagnosing psychological disorders and differentiating between different types of psychopathologies. Its comprehensive nature helps in understanding the severity and nuances of the symptoms.
Treatment Planning: By identifying personality traits and behavioral tendencies, the MMPI-2 can guide clinicians in developing targeted treatment plans. It provides insights into factors that might affect treatment adherence and response.
Forensic Assessment: The MMPI-2 is frequently used in legal contexts to assess an individual’s psychological state in criminal cases, custody evaluations, and personal injury claims (Butcher, 2000).
Research: The MMPI-2 is a valuable tool for psychological research, contributing to the understanding of personality disorders, the efficacy of treatments, and the dynamics of psychological conditions.
Conclusion
The MMPI-2 remains a cornerstone of psychological assessment due to its robust psychometric properties, extensive research base, and wide-ranging applications. Its development from the original MMPI to its current form reflects ongoing advancements in psychological assessment and an increased understanding of mental health. While it has certain limitations depending on how an individual comprehends the statements, the MMPI-2 continues to provide valuable insights into personality and psychopathology, supporting clinicians in making informed diagnostic and treatment decisions.
References
Butcher, J. N. (2000). The minnesota multiphasic personality inventory: A brief history. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31(1), 20-28.
Graham, J. R. (2011). MMPI-2: Assessing personality and psychopathology. Oxford University Press.
Tellegen, A. (1982). Brief manual for the minnesota multiphasic personality inventory-2. University of Minnesota Press.
Williams, C. L., & Finkel, M. A. (1999). Cultural considerations in the use of the MMPI. Journal of Personality Assessment, 73(2), 171-190.
| No. | Scale | Scale Description | Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Hs |
Hypochondriasis |
32 concerns with bodily symptoms |
|
2. |
D |
Depression |
57 depressive symptoms |
|
3. |
Hy |
Histrionic |
60 awareness of problems and vulnerabilities pointers |
|
4. |
Pd |
Psychopathic Deviate |
50 conflict, struggle, anger and respect for society’s |
|
5. |
Mf |
Masculinity-Femininity |
56 stereotypical masculine or feminine |
|
6. |
Pa |
Paranoia |
40 levels of trust, suspiciousness and sensitivity |
|
7. |
Pt |
Psychasthenia |
48 worry, anxiety, tension, doubts, obsessiveness |
|
8. |
Sc |
Schizophrenia |
78 odd thinking and social alienation pointers |
|
9. |
Ma |
Hypomania |
46 levels of excitability |
|
10. |
Si |
Social Introversion |
69 people orientation pointers |