Construct Validity of the MMPI-2 College Maladjustment (Mt) Scale

Abstract

The construct validity of the MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2) College Maladjustment (Mt) Scale was examined using 376 student clients at a university psychological clinic. A principal components analysis and correlations of Mt scale scores with clients' and therapists' ratings of symptoms and functioning showed that the Mt scale identifies the presence of maladjustment as defined in terms of depressive and anxious symptoms. There is no evidence to show that the scale is specific to college students or that it is sensitive to severe psychological disturbance. The Mt scale does not inform the clinician as to why a person is distressed. In addition, there is no evidence from this study to suggest the superiority of the Mt scale over other MMPI-2 maladjustment measures. Therapists should use the entire MMPI-2 profile, not just the Mt scale, to gain the most comprehensive and specific understanding of clients.

Examining the necessity for and utility of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory—Revised (PPI–R) validity scales.

“…This research also further adds to the already extensive literature that validity scales are useful in detecting dissimulated responding. Nevertheless, one of the general arguments by McGrath and colleagues that the validity scales are not useful in increasing criterion-related validity (and thus acting as suppressor variables) is likely true, as evidenced by their results as well as the lack of utility for the MMPI K-correction (see, e.g., Barthlow, Graham, Ben-Porath, & McNulty, 2004), but this does not negate the need for or utility of these scales. As Ben-Porath and Waller (1992) argued, the goal of validity scales is to assess the utility of the self-report profile that is produced, not to increase criterion-related validity of substantive scales.…”

Personality and psychopathology heterogeneity in MMPI‐2 and health‐related features in fibromyalgia patients

“…The Work Interference scale refers to a wide variety of attitudes and behaviors that are likely to contribute to poor work performance, as low self‐confidence, poor concentration, obsessiveness, tension, indecisiveness, not having strong achievement orientation and possibly having negative attitude toward coworkers (Graham, 2012). So, it encompasses a whole set of features beyond work environment directly, as other correlates of the scale include lacking energy, being unable to cope with stress, and feeling overwhelmed, insecure, helpless, worried, and fearful (Barthlow, Graham, Ben‐Porath & McNulty, 2004). Although several studies focus the difficulties FM women feel toward the work environment, and decreased work hability (Henriksson, Liedberg & Gerdle, 2005; Mannerkorpi & Gard, 2012), EV Cluster does not show relevant levels in this scale.…”

Fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis: Personality and psychopathology differences from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2

“…Pertaining to College Maladjustment, this scale scores have been found to be associated with increased stress and lowered social and general adjustment (Stewart & Cairns, 2002), and may also indicate, on a global level, that the client has a history of inadequate coping and functioning. It assesses maladjustment in a manner similar to that of the Anxiety and Ego Strength scales, and is strongly related to the clinical Schizophrenia scale, due to aspects tapped by this scale as depression and hopelessness, feeling that life is a strain, having difficulty coping and worrying excessively (Barthlow, Graham, Ben-Porath, & McNulty, 2004). So, College Maladjustment scale being clinically elevated in the FM TG is congruent with also clinically significant Schizophrenia and Ego Strength scales.…”