Validation of a Theory-Driven Profile Interpretation of the Dutch Short Form of the MMPI Using the TAT Social Cognitions and Object Relations Scale (SCORS)

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the construct validity of the theory-driven profile interpretation of the Dutch Short Form of the MMPI (DSFM; Luteijn & Kok, 1985), an interpretation method aimed at assessing structural features of personality based on Kernberg and Caligor's (2005) views concerning personality organization. We utilized the four dimensions of the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale (SCORS; Westen, Lohr, Silk, Gold, & Kerber, 1990) as external criteria. Results showed that, congruent with theoretical expectations, the DSFM profiles predicted structural features of personality functioning, especially identity diffusion as measured by the SCORS, after adjustment for the effect of the single scales used to construct the profiles. These findings provide further support for the construct validity of the DSFM profiles to measure structural features of personality organization. We discuss directions for future research and clinical implications.

Do Patients with Somatoform Disorders Present with Illusory Mental Health?

“…This is in agreement with the notion that the introversion/extraversion dimension is a temperamental disposition influencing the type of personality disorder (internalizing versus externalizing) but not the severity of structural personality pathology [39]. For a more detailed description of the rationale behind the assessment method, and the interpretation of the several DSFM profiles see [34,35].…”

“…These groups are mutually exclusive. Several studies have provided evidence for the validity of the DSFM to capture features of PO [31,[34][35][36][37][38]. In the present study, internal consistency of the several subscales ranged from 0.69 (subscale Severe Psychopathology) to 0.90 (subscale Shyness).…”

“…The DSFM [33] assesses five personality dimensions: Negativism, Somatization, Shyness, Severe psychopathology, and Extraversion. As has been described elsewhere [31,[34][35][36][37][38], the theory-driven profile interpretation of scores on the DSFM is based on the notion that raw scores on the dimensions of the DSFM should be combined into profiles based on theoretical considerations concerning structural personality features and organization. These a priori defined profiles are subsequently interpreted by using Kernberg's tripartite model of personality pathology [29,30].…”

Association between level of personality organization as assessed with theory-driven profiles of the Dutch Short Form of the MMPI and outcome of inpatient treatment for personality disorder

“…Patients with good-to-moderate anxiety tolerance and who are overcontrolled are classified as having a neurotic PO. Within the borderline PO domain, Eurelings-Bontekoe et al (2009a) distinguish, in increasing order of severity of structural personality pathology, four subgroups that are characterized by having (a) moderate or good anxiety tolerance and, relative to their anxiety tolerance, moderate control (immature borderline PO); (b) good anxiety tolerance but undercontrol (narcissistic borderline PO); (c) poor anxiety tolerance and strong control, relative to their anxiety tolerance (high-level borderline PO); and (d) poor anxiety tolerance and undercontrol (low-level borderline PO). Finally, patients with PPO or psychotically vulnerable BPO have poor anxiety tolerance and weak control.…”

“…Recent research (Eurelings-Bontekoe & Luyten, 2010;Eurelings-Bontekoe et al, 2008;Eurelings-Bontekoe et al, 2009a, 2009bEurelings-Bontekoe, Luyten, IJssennagger, Van Vreeswijk, & Koelen, 2010a;Eurelings-Bontekoe, E. H. M., Luyten, P., Remijsen, M. & Koelen, 2010b;Eurelings-Bontekoe, Peen, Noteboom, Alkema, & Dekker, 2012) has provided support for the construct and predictive validity of this assessment model. Eurelings-Bontekoe et al (2012), in a naturalistic follow-up study of 2,062 outpatients, showed differential treatment responses of patients with various BPO profiles.…”