A comparison of the MMPI-2 restructured clinical (RC) and clinical scales in a substance abuse treatment sample.

Abstract

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) restructured clinical (RC) scales were designed to assess the underlying distinctive core components of the MMPI-2 clinical scales in order to enhance discriminant and convergent validity. Analyses utilizing inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment samples (Tellegen et al., 2003) have demonstrated improvements in the psychometric functioning of the RC scales in comparison with the original clinical scales. The current study extends these analyses by comparing the RC and original clinical scales in a sample of 1,284 men assessed at intake to a substance abuse treatment program in a VA setting. Results indicate that the RC scales demonstrate a general improvement in psychometric properties, with some increases in convergent and discriminant validity compared to their clinical scale counterparts. These results replicate Tellegen et al.'s (2003) findings in a different type of treatment setting and with different criteria, and complement their report by examining the validity of scales RC3 and RC9, for which Tellegen et al. (2003) did not have appropriate criteria. Implications for deliverers of psychological services in public sector settings are discussed.

The MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical Scales in the assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid disorders.

“…RC4 was related to alcohol- and drug-use disorders and to ASPD, suggesting that RC4 may represent a useful marker for disconstraint: the personality substrate for the externalizing disorders (Krueger et al, 2001; Miller, Vogt, Mozley, Kaloupek & Keane, 2006). Consistent with prior work (Forbey & Ben-Porath, 2007), RCd was also significantly associated with alcohol-use disorders which supports the argument that negative emotionality, while more strongly associated with the internalizing spectrum, may also play a role in externalizing disorders (Miller et al, 2006, 2008; Mineka et al, 1998). RC3 was also associated with externalizing disorders while CS3 showed stronger associations with internalizing disorders.…”

Empirical Correlates of the MMPI–2 Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales in Mental Health, Forensic, and Nonclinical Settings: An Introduction

“…Several investigations have replicated findings reported in the Tellegen et al (2003) monograph with other mental health outpatients (Simms, (Sellbom, BenPorath, & Graham, 2006), private practice outpatients (Sellbom, Graham, & Schenk, 2006), and individuals receiving treatment for substance abuse (Forbey & Ben-Porath, 2007). The studies by Simms et al (2005) , and Forbey and Ben-Porath (2007) have included relevant criteria for RC3 and RC9 and have provided evidence of their validity as measures of hostility, mistrust, and manipulativeness-for the former-and aggression, impulsivity, disinhibition, and other manic symptoms for the latter.…”

Predictive Validity of the MMPI–2 Among Female Offenders in a Residential Treatment Program

“…Indeed, the negative correlations between attendance and RC7, RC9, ANG, TPA, Ho, and FAM are suggestive of a general dimension of negative emotionality, particularly anger and hostility, serving as a negative predictor of entering treatment. In fact, previous research has identified RC7 as measuring negative emotionality, including hostility, and RC9 has been associated with interpersonal hostility, anger, aggression, and impulsivity (Forbey & Ben-Porath, 2007). Similarly, predominantly irritable, antagonistic, or angry emotions have been associated with high scores on the ANG, TPA, FAM, and Ho scales, whereas more conventional, relaxed attitudes and relative freedom from discord are associated with lower scores (Greene, 2011).…”