Radhika Krishnamurthy

The MMPI-A and Rorschach: A Failure to Establish Convergent Validity

The present study investigated the interrelationships among selected Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (MMPI-A) and Rorschach variables in a clinical sample of 152 adolescents, taking into account the potential moderating role of Rorschach response frequency (R). A series of hypotheses were presented based on a priori selection of 28 MMPI-A scales and 43 Rorschach variables corresponding to 13 specific construct areas. The results consistently indicated very limited associations between conceptually related MMPI-A and Rorschach variables for the total sample and for high R and low R subgroups. The results did not support the contention, proposed by Meyer, that R exerts a moderating influence on Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and Rorschach relationships. Further analyses indicated that the interrelationships between the two measures continued to be minimal when response styles were concordant across the two methods of assessment and when participants were categorized by diagnosis. Suggestions for clinical assessment practice and future research are provided.

Three Factors of the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach and Their Relationship to Wechsler IQ Scores in an Adolescent Sample.

Principal axis factor analyses of the Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS) in a clinical sample of 152 adolescents yielded three clearly defined factors: Synthesized Complexity (de-fined by Zf, DQ+, and F%), Productivity (defined by R, D, and Dd), and Form Quality (de-fined by X+%, F+%, and X-%). Variables on the Synthesized Complexity and Form Quality factors were generally correlated with Wechsler Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ, and Performance IQ scores. Overall, the factors in this adolescent sample replicated factors identified in earlier studies with adults. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

The assessment competency.

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An Evaluation of the Effects of Rorschach EB Style on the Diagnostic Utility of the Depression Index

Several empirical studies have found the Rorschach Depression Index (DEPI) to have questionable diagnostic utility. Studies using adolescent samples suggest that the DEPI has limited sensitivity and fails to differentiate effectively between adolescents with and without depression diagnoses. The present study was conducted to evaluate Viglione, Brager, and Hallers suggestion that the DEPI may have better discriminative ability for individuals with extratensive problem-solving styles, measured by the Rorschach EB (Erlebnistypus) variable, compared to those with introversive and ambitent styles. Comparisons were conducted between adolescents with depression-related diagnoses and adolescents with other diagnoses for each of the three EB groups. The results failed to support the hypothesized greater discriminative power of DEPI for depressed extratensives, and suggest caution in using the DEPI to evaluate adolescent depression.

A Comparison of Two Interpretive Approaches for the MMPI-A Structural Summary

We undertook this study to provide empirically derived interpretative recommendations for the MMPI-A Structural Summary through an evaluation of factor elevation patterns. We examined the frequency of single-factor, two-factor, and multifactor elevations in a clinical sample of 363 adolescents receiving inpatient, outpatient, or residential treatment. Two methods of determining factor elevation (a simple majority of scales and subscales within a specific factor with T-score elevations at critical level, versus the mean T score generated by all the scales and subscales for each factor) yielded comparable findings concerning the frequency of factor elevation, permitting reliance on the former, easier-to-use method to define elevation. The most salient two-factor co-elevations were the 3-7 (Disinhibition-Familial Alienation), 2-8 (Immaturity-Psychoticism), 1-5 (General Maladjustment-Health Concerns), and 2-7 (Immaturity-Familial Alienation) patterns. This study also examined whether factor pattern elevations varied as a function of age, gender, or diagnosis. Data analyses revealed no differences between younger (ages 13-14) and older (ages 15-18) adolescents on factor elevation as defined by the first criterion. However, significant differences were found between boys and girls on Factors 3 (Disinhibition) and 5 (Health Concerns). Results also indicated that a larger proportion of depressed adolescents obtained factor elevations on Factors 4 (Social Discomfort) and 5 (Health Concerns) compared to adolescents with conduct disorder diagnoses and other diagnoses. The findings of this study are discussed with reference to recommended procedures for using the Structural Summary in clinical assessment practice.

MMPI-A Scale-Level Factor Structure: Replication in a Clinical Sample

The adolescent form of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-A) Structural Summary was developed from the results of a scale-level factor analysis conducted by Archer, Belevich, and Elkins based on the MMPI-A normative sample. The present study examined the scale-level factor structure of the MMPI-A in a clinical sample of 358 adolescents receiving outpatient or inpatient psychiatric services. A Principal Factor Analysis was performed using the raw score intercorrelation matrix from the 69 scales and subscales of the MMPI-A. The procedure yielded nine factors that accounted for 75.6% of the total variance in scale and subscale raw scores. Results from this clinical sample indicated that seven of the eight dimensions that appear on the MMPI-A Structural Summary were replicated in terms of producing highly similar factor structure correlation coefficients with those reported by Archer, Belevich, et al. for a normal sample. The present findings support the use of the MMPI-A Structural Summary for the assessment of adolescents in clinical settings.

Clinical Research Note on Psychometric Limitations of Two Harris-Lingoes Subscales for the MMPI-2

The Harris-Lingoes subscales were carried over to the MMPI-2 and MMPI-A despite limited empirical evaluation of these scales for either the original or the revised instruments. In the revised forms of the MMPI, these subscales are subject to the same interpretive guideline applied to the other standard scales, that is, T-score elevations Z65 are interpreted as representing clinically significant data. A special problem arises for two subscales because these measures cannot produce clinical range elevations. The maximum attainable T score for both genders on the MMPI-2 Denial of Social Anxiety (Hy1) subscale is 61, and the highest T score attainable for the Social Imperturbability (Pd3) subscale is 64 for men and 65 for women. Modifications to standard interpretive practices are suggested in light of these findings, particularly noting the inability of these two subscales to produce useful clinical data.