Leone, Mosticoni, Ianella, Biondi, and Butcher’s (2018) Effort to Compare the MMPI-2-RF with the MMPI-2 Falls Well Short
Abstract
Leone, Mosticoni, Iannella, Biondi, and Butcher’s (2018) comparison of the MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF in a clinical sample falls well short of its goals. On the basis of analyses conducted with a sample of patients clinically diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Depressive Disorders, Somatic Symptom Disorders, or Borderline Personality Disorder the authors conclude that the MMPI-2-RF is less sensitive to psychopathology and is susceptible to gender bias. However, their study fails to meet basic requirements for sound research methodology and reporting of research findings. Even if these shortcomings are set aside, the findings reported are inconsistent with or contradict the authors’ conclusions, many of which have already been rebutted in previous publications, which they ignored. Leone et al.’s (2018) discussion fails to acknowledge the many limitations of their study and veers to a tangential and misleading consideration of MMPI-2-RF use and research.References
Adler, T. (1990). Does the â€new†MMPI beat the â€classicâ€? APA Monitor, pp. 18-19.
APA Association (2010). Publication manual (sixth edition). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Ben-Porath, Y. S. (2012). Interpreting the MMPI-2-RF. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
Ben-Porath, Y. S. (2017). An update to Williams and Lally’s (2017) analysis of MMPI-2-RF acceptance. Professional Psychology Research and Practice, 48, 275-278.
Butcher, J.N., Graham, J.R., & Ben-Porath, Y.S. (1995). Methodological problems and issues in MMPI, MMPI-2, and MMPI-A research. Psychological Assessment, 7, 320-329.
Butcher, J.N., & Williams, C.L. (200). Essentials of MMPI-2 and MMPI-A interpretation. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
FAA (2013). Guide for aviation medical examiners: Decision considerations, disease protocols, psychiatric and psychological evaluations. Washington, DC: Federal Aviation Administration.
Friedman, A. F., Bolinskey, P. K., Levak, R. W., & Nichols, D. S. (2015). Psychological Assessment with the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF. New York, NY: Routledge.
Friedman, A.F., & Nichols, D.S. (2017). MMPI-3: Revision of the MMPi-2 or marketing hype. National Psychologist, November/December, pp 1, 5.
Graham, J. R. (2012). MMPI-2: Assessing personality and psychopathology (5th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Greene, R. L. (2011). MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF: An interpretive manual (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Allyn & Bacon.
Harkness A.R., McNulty, J.L., & Ben-Porath, Y.S. (1995). The personality psychopathology five (PSY-5): Constructs and MMPI-2 scales. Psychological Assessment, 7, 104-114.
Lally, S.J., & Williams, C.L. (2017). Response to Ben-Porath’s update to Williams and lally (2017). Professional Psychology Research and Practice, 48, 282-285.
Leone, C., Mosticoni, S., Iannella, F., Biondi, M., & Butcher, J.N. (2018). Comparability of MMP-2-RF with MMPI-2 in assessing psychiatric patients: A shortfall. Archives of Assessment Psychology, 8, 7-22.
Martin, P. K., Schroeder, R. W., & Odland, A. P. (2015). Neuropsychologists’ validity testing beliefs and practices: A survey of North American professionals. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 29, 741-776.
Mihura, J.L., Roy, M., & Graceffo, R.A. (2017). Psychological assessment in clinical psychology training programs. Journal of Personality assessment, 99, 153-164.
Rouse, S. V., Greene, R. L., Butcher, J. N., Nichols, D. S., & Williams, C. L. (2008). What do the MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical Scales reliably measure? Answers from multiple research settings. Journal of Personality Assessment, 90, 435-442.
Russo, A.C., (2018). A practioner survey of Department of Veterans Affairs psychologists who provide neuropsychological assessments. The Clinical Neuropsychologist.
Schroder, R.W., Martin, P.K., & Odland, A.T. (2016). Expert beliefs and practices regarding neuropsychological validity testing. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 30, 515-535.
Tellegen, A., & Ben-Porath, Y. S. (2008/2011). MMPI-2-RF (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form): Technical manual. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
Tellegen, A., Ben-Porath, Y. S., McNulty, J. L., Arbisi, P. A., Graham, J. R., & Kaemmer, B. (2003). MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales: Development, validation, and interpretation. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
Tellegen, A., Ben-Porath, Y. S., Sellbom, M., Arbisi, P. A., McNulty, J. L., & Graham, J. R. (2006). Further evidence on the validity of the MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales: Addressing questions raised by Rogers et al. and Nichols. Journal of Personality Assessment, 87, 148-171.
Tellegen, A., Ben-Porath, Y. S., & Sellbom, M. (2009). Construct validity of the MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales: Reply to Rouse, Greene, Butcher, Nichols, & Williams. Journal of Personality Assessment, 91, 211-221.
Williams, C. L., & Lally, S. J. (2017). MMPI-2, MMPI-2-RF, and MMPI-A Administrations (2007–2014): Any Evidence of a “New Standard?â€. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 48, 267-274.