Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–3 (MMPI-3) assessment of bipolar spectrum disorders.

Abstract

I n this chapter, we describe how scores from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3;Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2020a) can be used to assess mood episodes associated with bipolar disorder, particularly from a spectrum perspective. We begin by briefly describing the development of the MMPI-3, its scale structure, and some psychometric considerations. Next, the majority of the chapter focuses on the MMPI-3 Validity and Substantive Scales that are particularly relevant to assessing response styles and psychological symptoms that are common to individuals presenting with bipolar spectrum disorders. We subsequently review the convergence between MMPI-3 scale scores with contemporary models of personality and psychopathology (with a focus on aspects relevant to mania and depression), and we describe research on its utility in the differential diagnosis of mood and thought disorders. Finally, we conclude by highlighting key practical takeaways and calling for research into the assessment of mania and depression symptoms using the MMPI-3.

Construct validation of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐3 (MMPI‐3) scales relevant to the assessment of bipolar spectrum disorders

“…We also expected small to moderate associations between the MMPI-3 scales Sellbom and Whitman (2023) identified as secondary indicators of manic psychopathology (ANP, SFI, COG, BXD, RC4, JCP, SUB, and IMP) and such scores. Based on the diagnostic criteria Sellbom and Whitman (2023) linked to each secondary indicator, we also identified hypothesized moderate to large associations between these scales and measures of more specific facets of mania (see Tables 1 and 2 for hypothesized associations). We also investigated the ability of meaningfully associated MMPI-3 scores to uniquely contribute to the prediction of scores on self-report measures of bipolar psychopathology in a series of regression models.…”

“…Given that Sellbom and Whitman (2023) previously identified MMPI-3 RC9 and ACT as primary indicators of manic psychopathology, we expected moderate to large associations between RC9 and ACT scores and scores on other self-reported mania symptom measures. We also expected small to moderate associations between the MMPI-3 scales Sellbom and Whitman (2023) identified as secondary indicators of manic psychopathology (ANP, SFI, COG, BXD, RC4, JCP, SUB, and IMP) and such scores. Based on the diagnostic criteria Sellbom and Whitman (2023) linked to each secondary indicator, we also identified hypothesized moderate to large associations between these scales and measures of more specific facets of mania (see Tables 1 and 2 for hypothesized associations).…”

“…Its item content focuses on more key symptoms, excluding content focused on engagement in risky activities. Sellbom and Whitman (2023) also identified several scales of secondary relevance for measuring bipolar spectrum psychopathology. These included Anger Proneness (ANP), which measures irritability.…”

“…The goal of the current study was to evaluate the construct validity of MMPI-3 scores with respect to measures of bipolar spectrum psychopathology, with particular interest in the validity of scale scores identified by Sellbom and Whitman (2023) as being most relevant to the assessment of bipolar spectrum psychopathology. Given that Sellbom and Whitman (2023) previously identified MMPI-3 RC9 and ACT as primary indicators of manic psychopathology, we expected moderate to large associations between RC9 and ACT scores and scores on other self-reported mania symptom measures. We also expected small to moderate associations between the MMPI-3 scales Sellbom and Whitman (2023) identified as secondary indicators of manic psychopathology (ANP, SFI, COG, BXD, RC4, JCP, SUB, and IMP) and such scores.…”

“…The most recent version of the test, the MMPI-3 (Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2020a, 2020b reflects modern psychometric test construction and interpretation methods, with an emphasis on measuring dimensional constructs rather than differential diagnosis. Still, the MMPI-3 includes scales that measure constructs relevant to bipolar spectrum psychopathology, including restructured versions of Clinical Scales 2 and 9, among others (see, Sellbom & Whitman, 2023, for a detailed description).…”