The Utility of MMPI-2-RF Substantive Scales in Prediction of Negative Treatment Outcomes in a Community Mental Health Center

Abstract

This study examined the utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) substantive scales in the prediction of premature termination and therapy no-shows while controlling for other relevant predictors in a university-based community mental health center, a sample at high risk of both premature termination and no-show appointments. Participants included 457 individuals seeking services from a university-based psychology clinic. Results indicated that Juvenile Conduct Problems (JCP) predicted premature termination and Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction and JCP predicted number of no-shows, when accounting for initial severity of illness, personality disorder diagnosis, therapist experience, and other related MMPI-2-RF scales. The MMPI-2-RF Aesthetic-Literary Interests scale also predicted number of no-shows. Recommendations for applying these findings in clinical practice are discussed.

Predicting therapist ratings of treatment progress and outcomes with the MMPI‐2‐RF

“…Individuals with high scores on RC1, NUC, and COG report multiple somatic complaints, such as neurological or cognitive symptoms, and empirical correlates of these scores indicate that these individuals are preoccupied with health concerns, are prone to developing physical symptoms in response to stress and have a low tolerance for frustration (Ben‐Porath & Tellegen, ). The current findings are in line with prior reports that RC1 scores were significantly correlated with premature termination, and NUC scores were significantly correlated with both premature termination and number of no‐show appointments, both indicators of poor therapeutic outcomes (Anestis et al, ).…”

“…Finally, future studies would also benefit from exploring the associations between clinician‐related variables (e.g., age, gender, experience, theoretical orientation), and their interactions with client characteristics and treatment progress and outcomes. Indeed, Anestis et al () found that the level of therapists’ experience was related to premature termination and the number of no‐show appointments.…”

“…Mattson, Powers, Halfaker, Akeson, and Ben-Porath (2012) found that the MMPI-2-RF scale measuring juvenile conduct problems (JCP) predicted noncompletion of a drug treatment program. Anestis, Gottfried, and Joiner (2015) found that MMPI-2-RF scales JCP and behavioral/externalizing dysfunction (BXD) predicted premature termination and number of therapy no-shows. Interpretive guidelines indicate that someone who elevates BXD is unlikely to be motivated for treatment and is at significant risk for treatment noncompliance, and therefore, their inadequate self-control should be a target for intervention (Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008/2011).…”

A multi-method approach to the detection of fabricated symptoms

“…Malingerers often seek therapy so as to gather evidence of their ill health. Thus, they report poor therapy outcomes (Anestis, Gottfried, & Joiner, 2015;Van Egmond & Kummeling, 2002) and prolong the treatment until they receive the benefits they aimed to get, after which the majority drop out (Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, 2005). Unnecessary treatments may be detrimental to the health of the maligerer himself and can, for example, lead to addiction or brain changes in case of medications (e.g., Bernardy & Friedman, 2015).…”

Clinical Utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2–Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) in a Residential Treatment Program for Homeless Individuals

“…Clinicians recognize the usefulness of psychological assessment for important tasks like case conceptualization, professional communication, and treatment planning (Bagby et al, 2016; Morey et al, 2014). Indeed, empirical work has found that assessment variables predict a variety of clinical outcomes, including premature termination and no shows from individual psychotherapy (e.g., Anestis et al, 2015; Tarescavage, Finn, et al, 2015). Other work has found that psychological assessment data are associated with dropout, behavioral problems, and poor outcomes in patients treated in residential programs for addictive disorders (Magyar et al, 2012; Ramos-Grille et al, 2013).…”