Assessment using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
Nicholas, age 35, was referred for evaluation by his psychiatrist. Nicholas was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive illness), which is a brain disorder that causes dramatic mood swings-from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. The psychiatrist was treating Nicholas with medications commonly prescribed in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Nicholas informed his psychiatrist that he is feeling much better and wants to stop taking the medications and terminate treatment. The psychiatrist wants to know if Nicholas is doing as well as he claims he is doing.
Review Nicholas' MMPI-2 profile report and answer the questions that follow.
1. Interpret the scores on each validity scale. Use the answers provided on the first two validity scales as a format for your answers.
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Validity Scales
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Description
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Cannot Say (?)
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The Cannot Say (?) score was 4, indicating that David omitted three items on the inventory. This does not invalidate test results
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Variable Response Inconsistency - VRIN
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The T score on the VRIN Scale was 46, which indicates that David's responses were not random or inconsistent.
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True Response Inconsistency - TRIN
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Infrequency - F
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Back Infrequency - F(B)
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Infrequency-Psychopathology - F(P)
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Lie - L
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Correction - K
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Superlative Presentation - S
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2. Based on the validity scale scores, do you believe Nicholas' MMPI-2 results are valid? Explain.
3. Identify the clinical scale score(s) that are in the "clinical range" and interpret the scores.
4. How would you respond to the psychiatrist's question (is Nicholas is doing as well as he claims he is doing)?
5. What would you recommend to Nicholas and his psychiatrist?