MMPI-A and Rorschach Indices Related to Depression and Conduct Disorder: An Evaluation of the Incremental Validity Hypothesis

Abstract

This investigation extends the earlier research by Archer and Gordon (1988) by examining the extent to which combining indices from the newly released MMPI-A and the revised Rorschach Comprehensive System furnishes incremental validity in terms of improved diagnostic prediction. The predictive accuracy of selected MMPI-A and Rorschach variables conceptually related to diagnoses of depression and conduct disorder were compared in a clinical sample of 152 adolescents. Results of multivariate analyses of variance revealed some significant differences between diagnostic groups on several MMPI-A scales, and 1 significant difference on the Rorschach involving the Vista variable. Stepwise discriminant function analyses resulted in 2 MMPI-A scales and 2 Rorschach variables that collectively accounted for a small proportion of variance in the diagnosis of depression, and 3 MMPI-A scales that accounted for a significant component of variance in the conduct disorder diagnosis. Classification accuracy results indicated that the hit rate for depression diagnosis did not improve using an optimal linear combination of the 4 variables over the rates produced by the single use of either the MMPI-A Depression content scale (A-DEP) or Scale 2. For the conduct disorder diagnosis, the optimal linear combination of MMPI-A Conduct Problems (A-CON), Cynicism (A-CYN), and Immaturity (IMM) scales served as the best predictor, and no Rorschach variables contributed significantly to classification accuracy. Our results replicated the findings of Archer and Gordon (1988) in indicating that the combined use of MMPI-A and Rorschach variables does not appear to produce incremental increases in accuracy of diagnostic classification.

Clinical Assessment of Child and Adolescent Personality and Behavior

“…Archer and Krishnamurthy (1997) compared the utility of the MMPI-A and Rorschach (Exner's Comprehensive System) for distinguishing between Conduct Disorder and depression. In short, the MMPI-A did a better job of predicting diagnostic status with the Rorschach contributing only two variables that accounted for a small proportion of variance in a depression diagnosis, and none to a Conduct Disorder diagnosis.…”

Association of Rorschach and MMPI Psychosis Indicators and Schizophrenia Spectrum Diagnoses in a Russian Clinical Sample

“…In a study of personality disorders, Blais, Hilsenroth, Castlebury, Fowler, and Baity (2001) found that each test was associated with unique variance in symptom scores but that this incremental validity varied across disorders. Similarly, a study using the adolescent version of the MMPI (Archer & Krishnamurthy, 1997) found evidence supporting the incremental validity of the some Rorschach variables (Vista and Affective Ratio for predicting depression) but not others (the Depression Index for predicting depression or various variables for predicting conduct disorder). In his critique of Wood et al (1999), Meyer (2000) reported new analyses of data he had presented earlier (Meyer, 1993) regarding the incremental validity of the SCZI above and beyond the information provided by the MMPI-2 Scale 8 and BIZ.…”

Effective use of projective techniques in clinical practice: Let the data help with selection and interpretation.

“…This is true for both adults and adolescents. For example, six of eight studies conducted independently of the Rorschach Workshops found no significant relation between the revised DEPI and psychiatric diagnoses (Archer & Krishnamurthy, 1997;Ball, Archer, Gordon, & French, 1991;Caine, Frueh, & Kinder, 1995;Meyer, 1993;Ritsher, Slivko-Kolchik, & Oleichik, 2001;Sells, 1990Sells, / 1991; see also Meyer, 2001a), one study yielded mixed results (Ilonen et al, 1999), and only one study yielded unmixed positive results (Jansak, 1996(Jansak, /1997.…”