Updates (some of the many)

So many things, so so many things (hopefully I didn’t miss too many big things)

Our paper on the MMPI-2-RF/3 Scale of Scales (SOS) development is out in JCEN (in press now, as of today), producing a scale that uses a symptom severity approach via the RC scales for broad and effective over-reporting detection. The scale adds to existing scales and performs well in both simulation (Morris et al., 2021 data) and clinical (Ingram et al., 2019 Active Duty) datasets. Great work Tina, Cole, and Megan. A PDF of the paper is linked HERE.

1. A paper evaluating telehealth equality to F2F assessment using the MMPI-2-RF/3 was also published in JCEN’s special issue on validity testing development. This study used a sample of Veterans (via Robert Shura collaboration) undergoing ADHD evals. Results suggest equivalence of scale performance, consistent with prior simulation studies (Agarwal et al., 2023). Great work Ali! PDF of the paper HERE!
2. The SUI scale is a leading measure of risk within the MMPI, and it was expanded and revised during the MMPI-3 release. In the first study to examine the SUI scale’s longitudinal associations with suicidality, Cole published a paper in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (JCP) examining its predictive (6-week, 4 data points) utility. A PDF of the paper (proof, pre-release and not official) is HERE! Chloe, a former undergrad, is also on the paper! Nice work Cole and Megan.
3. Megan recently had a paper accepted into the Journal of Personality Assessment which evaluated the utility and interpretation of the ARX scale of the MMPI-3, given its revisions. The study uses two samples (PCL-5 and CAPS) for separate screening and diagnostic interview criterion. Results suggest (1) PCL and CAPS outcomes are highly related, consistent with past work, (2) cut scores for ARX are likely to aide in screening for potential traumatic events, (3) some domains of PTSD are more associated with ARX elevations, which may require additional administered scales to fully capture pathology related to trauma. Great work Megan, Cole, and Tina. Tina lead the CAPS sample study, which was their McNairs Thesis!!! Get the PDF HERE
4. Luke won another poster competition (no fun picture, I’m sure he’s sad)- this time at the first annual Division 12 (Clinical Psychology) Midwinter conference. His work is looking at PTSD assessment in AD personnel via the MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF, expanding on what was presented at the Combat PTSD conference (look at his award picture!) and related to his 2024 SPA poster on the MMPI-2-RF scores. Although Pk added incrementally to AXY in the prediction of clinician diagnoses, with appropriate cut scores neither scale outperformed the other in terms of diagnostic decision making and clinical utility. These results support recent work establishing how the ARX/AXY scale can be used as a diagnostic aide (Keen et al., 2023), but it is critical to recall that scale elevations alone are not diagnostic.
5. Student athlete work is ongoing with the MMPI-3, and two papers presented at the 2023 SPA conference are in works. The first evaluates the CMP scale using a mixed method approach, with qualitative coding suggesting poor utility and high elevation rates in athletes unrelated to pathology. The second provides a comparison sample with therapy engagement prediction, suggesting that select internalizing are some of the best predicts. Kacey from Kent State is helping lead the writeup on some of these, along with Sarah, Megan, and others. This work ties in with Pearson’s recent addition of student athlete comparison groups for the MMPI-3.
6. There are also the TONS of upcoming SPA talks and posters, including a new meta-analysis of the PAI (Tristan), applications of IRT to Likert scale items on OR scales with the PAI (Keegan), under-reporting in Veterans (Keen), trends in training on assessment within the VA (Ali), over-reporting detection with pro-rated MMPI-3 scores (Me, Pat, Yossi, and Bill), and more. Megan also is presenting some over-reporting study information for the MMPI-A-RF, with one of our AMAZING undergrads first authoring a paper. A collab with Dr. B and her student Efrain is also looking at over-reporting on the MMPI-2-RF (Morris data, which was administered via the MMPI-2-RF-EX). I’ll give updates on all of those studies after the conference with materials.