Reaffirming normal: The high risk of pathologizing healthy adults when interpreting the MMPI-2-RF

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations were utilized to determine the proportion of the normal population expected to have scale elevations on the MMPI-2-RF when multiple scores are interpreted. Results showed that when all 40 MMPI-2-RF scales are simultaneously considered, approximately 70% of normal adults are likely to have at least one scale elevation at or above 65T, and as many as 20% will have five or more elevated scales. When the Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales are under consideration, 34% of normal adults have at least one elevated score. Interpretation of the Specific Problem Scales and Personality Psychopathology Five Scales – Revised also yielded higher than expected rates of significant scores, with as many as one in four normal adults possibly being miscategorized as having features of a personality disorder by the latter scales. These findings are consistent with the growing literature on rates of apparently abnormal scores in the normal population due to multiple score interpretation. Findings are discussed in relation to clinical assessment, as well as in response to recent work suggesting that the MMPI-2-RF’s multiscale composition does not contribute to high rates of elevated scores.

Keywords:

• Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form
• MMPI-2-RF
• Clinical psychology
• Forensic
• Psychopathology.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the invaluable insights and commentary provided by Drs. Wiley Mittenberg and Edward Simco during preparation of aspects of this manuscript. We would also like to thank Drs. William B. Barr and Jerry J. Sweet for allowing us to provide the readership with a balanced perspective to Tarescavage et al.’s (2013) critique of our previous manuscript.

Portions of this study were presented at the International Neuropsychological Society’s 41st Annual Meeting, Waikoloa, Hawaii.