Validation of a Theory-Driven Profile Interpretation of the Dutch Short Form of the MMPI Using the TAT Social Cognitions and Object Relations Scale (SCORS)

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the construct validity of the theory-driven profile interpretation of the Dutch Short Form of the MMPI (DSFM; Luteijn & Kok, 1985), an interpretation method aimed at assessing structural features of personality based on Kernberg and Caligor's (2005) views concerning personality organization. We utilized the four dimensions of the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale (SCORS; Westen, Lohr, Silk, Gold, & Kerber, 1990) as external criteria. Results showed that, congruent with theoretical expectations, the DSFM profiles predicted structural features of personality functioning, especially identity diffusion as measured by the SCORS, after adjustment for the effect of the single scales used to construct the profiles. These findings provide further support for the construct validity of the DSFM profiles to measure structural features of personality organization. We discuss directions for future research and clinical implications.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Michael Bosch and Sylvia Scheffer for their assistance in collecting the data and to Maimoene Weerdenburg and Mieke Ridder for scoring two SCORS dimensions. Parts of this study were presented at the 10th International Congress of the International Society for the Study of Personality Disorders, The Hague, The Netherlands, September 19 to 22, 2007.

Notes

¹ It should be noted that the DSFM subscales Somatization and Extraversion are not included in the structural assessment model. Although these two scales are always used in the profile interpretation of the individual patient to refine the clinical picture, they are not used for structural diagnosis: Within the theory-driven profile interpretation, the DSFM subscale Somatization is considered to assess bodily awareness and as such to be an important general affect and emotion regulator independent of structural pathology. Low scores on Somatization may be a complicating factor, irrespective of structural diagnosis, suggesting low or absent awareness of physical sensations, which can be considered as the first level of emotional awareness according to the alexithymia model of Lane, Quinlan, Schwartz, Walker, and Zeilin (1990). Extraversion is considered to be a (normal) temperamental trait and not a marker of structural personality pathology. This is in agreement with Kernberg and Caligor (2005) who included in their psychoanalytic model of personality pathology the dimension introversion/extraversion as a temperamental disposition influencing the type of personality disorder (internalizing or externalizing) but not the severity of structural personality pathology.

***p < .001

**p < .01

*p < .05.