MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical Scales (RC) Scales William P. Wattles Francis Marion University

Invalid protocols  Cannot say >30  VRIN or TRIN ≥80  F or F(p) ≥100  Fb ≥ 110  L ≥ 80  K ≥ 75

MMPI-2  Good for measuring: –Personality characteristics –Behavioral tendencies –Emotional functioning –Psychopathology symptoms

Problem: MMPI-2 Clinical Scales highly intercorrelated  Hinders construct validity  Empirical keying –convergent –Discriminant  Current Techniques –Code types –Harris Lingoes scales –Supplementary scales

Construct Validity  The extent to which a measurement method accurately represents a construct and produces an observation distinct from that produced by a measure of another construct.

Convergent and discriminant validity  Convergent and discriminant validity are both considered subcategories or subtypes of construct validity.

Convergent and discriminant validity  In general we want convergent correlations to be as high as possible and discriminant ones to be as low as possible.

Discriminant validity  To establish discriminant validity, you need to show that measures that should not be related are in reality not related.  To establish discriminant validity, you need to show that measures that should not be related are in reality not related.

Convergent Validity  To establish convergent validity, you need to show that measures that should be related are in reality related.  Thus, those with elevated scale 4 have been shown to have more arrests.

Problem: MMPI-2 Clinical Scales significant item overlap  The average number of overlapping items per pair of the ten clinical sales is 6.4 items.  Examples –7-8 (17) –2-7 (13) –2-3 (13) –6-8 (13) –4-0 (11)

Problem: MMPI-2 Clinical Scales highly intercorrelated  A factor called anxiety, general maladjustment or emotion distress explains much of the variance among scales.

Floating profiles.  Intercorrelations result in most or all scales being elevated making it difficult to determine which scale to focus on.

Demoralization Scale (RCd)  This factor is removed from the other scales  Items selected for relevancy to core of each scale  Items selected for –Convergence, high correlation with scale –Discrimination, low correlations with other scales.

Restructured Scales

Intercorrelations  Page 157  Intercorrelations are reduced.  For example –Scale 1 and Scale 2 =.56 –Scale RC1 and RC2 =.27 –Scale 7 and Scale 2 =.65 –RC7 and RC2 =.31

MMPI-2 RESTRUCTURED CLINICAL SCALES PROFILE

Clinical Scale 2  After demoralization is removed a low positive emotionality component emerged. –Consistent with theories seeing this as the core of depression.

Clinical Scale 3  When RCd removed 3 components left: –Somatization –Extraversion –Naivete  Naivete negatively correlated with psychopathology

RC scales evaluation  They show convergent validity equal to or superior to the clinical scales and the content scales.  They often offer a substantial improvement over clinical scales discriminant validity. (not being significantly correlated to unrelated characteristics.)  The RC scales provide a more clearly focused assessment of the primary distinctive components of the Clinical Scales.

Interpretation of RC scales  RC scale tells about elevations in the core construct.  Clinical scale may include other characteristics as well

RCd Demorilization  High scores (T≥65) –Discouraged –Poor self-esteem –Pessimistic –Expect to fail –Overwhelmed –incapable

RC1 Somatic complaints  High scores (T≥65) –Large number of physical complaints –Chronic pain –Preoccupied with bodily functions –Resistant to psychological explanations –Develop physical symptoms in response to psychological difficulties

RC2 Low Positive Emotions  High scores (T≥65) –Lack of positive emotional engagement in life –Lack energy –Difficulty taking charge or making decisions –Inroverted, passive, withdrawn –Bored isolated –Low expectations of success

RC3 Cynicism  High scores (T≥65)  See others as: –untrustworthy –Uncaring –exploitive  Low scores (≤40)  Naïve  Gullible  Overly trusting

RC4 Antisocial Behavior  High scores (T≥65)  Difficult to conform to societal norms  Difficulties with the law  Increased risk for substance abuse  Aggressive  Conflictual relationships  Seen as critical, argumentative, angry, antagonistic.  Problems in school and work

RC6 Ideas of persecution  High scores (T≥65)  Feel targeted, controlled and victimized by others.  Suspicious, difficulty trusting

RC7 Dysfunctional Negative Emotions  High scores (T≥65)  Anxiety and irritability  Often have intrusive, unwanted thoughts  Insecure  Sensitive to perceived criticism  Ruminate and brood about failures  Passive and submissive in relationships

RC8 Aberrant experiences  High scores (T≥65)  Sensory, perceptual, cognitive, and motor disturbances suggestive of psychosis.  Hallucinations  Delusions  Scores above 75 suggest schizophrenia, delusional disorder.

RC9 Hypomanic activation  High scores (T≥65)  Thought racing  High energy levels  Heightened mood & irritability  Aggressive, poor impulse control  Sensation seekers, risk takers  Above 75 suggest bipolar, manic episode  extraverted with energy

Validity  The restructured clinical scales provide the most parsimonious assessment of psychopathic personality traits.

Incremental Validity  Some overlap of present content and supplementary scales. –RC1 Correlates.95 with health concerns –RC3 correlates.93 with cynicism content scale –RCd correlates.95 with Welsh’s Anxiety Scale

Summary  The RC scales represent a modest psychometric improvement over the standard clinical scales  Partial success at removing nonspecific distress variance makes profiles easier to interpret  New scales need no data for interpretation