Response consistency among high F scale scorers on the MMPI

Abstract

Classified male psychiatric inpatients (N = 200) with high (T > 90) scores on the MMPI F scale as either consistent or inconsistent responders using the Test‐Retest (TR) Index. As predicted, consistent MMPI responders appeared to exaggerate pathology, while inconsistent responders' profiles were indicative of random responding on the MMPI. Results supported use of the TR Index in enhancing interpretation of MMPI profiles with very high F scale scores.

Methodological variations in the use of the MMPI for diagnosis of borderline personality disorder among alcoholics

“…The decrease in the frequency of the Sc scale is not totally unexpected because elevations on the F scale are correlated highly with those on the Sc scale (Graham, 1977). The results also suggest that elevations on Sc among non-borderline disordered alcoholics are likely to be correlates of distress, plea for help, malingering, or unreliable responding, as the corresponding high elevations on F tend to indicate (Evans & Dinning, 1983; Greene, 1980;Wasyliw, Grossman, Haywood, & Cavanaugh, 1988). Elevations on Sc among the borderline disordered alcoholics, on the other hand, are more likely to be indications of personality disorder (Morey, Roberts, & Penk, 1987).…”

The test-retest index and high F MMPI profiles

“…For instance, such a profile may be a "cry for help" from a new admission in acute crisis; it also might be a random or partially random offering from a patient unable to comprehend the task and the meaning of the items. Recent data (Evans & Dinning, 1983) have suggested that a little-used MMPI feature-the Test-Retest (TR) Index-can aid in differentiating these two types of high F profiles. The present study extends that line of inquiry.…”

“…Four or more inconsistent responses have been suggested as the cut-off for categorizing a profile as consistent or inconsistent (Dahlstrom & Welsh, 1960;Greene, 1980). Using that value, Evans and Dinning (1983) compared low vs. high T R inpatients, all of whom had very high MMPI F scales (T >90). Low T R Ss (consistent MMPJ responders) had higher clinical scale elevations, lower L and K, and endorsed more obvious vs. subtle MMPI items.…”

“…In particular, the exact nature of the differences between the two TR groups in Evans and Dinning (1983) was unclear. High TR patients might have responded erratically (relative to low TR scorers) because they were poorer readers or otherwise deficient in verbal skills rather than because of any basic difference in clinical symptomatology.…”

“…Also, the present study included an independent measure of thought disorder in order to evaluate the Evans and Dinning (1983) suggestion that high TR patients are indeed more disorganized in their thinking relative to low TR patients.…”