Incremental validity of the MMPI-2-RF over-reporting scales and RBS in assessing the veracity of memory complaints
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Roger O Gervais1, Yossef S Ben-Porath, Dustin B Wygant
1Neurobehavioral Associates, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. rgervais@shaw.ca <rgervais@shaw.ca>
Abstract:
The Response Bias Scale (RBS) has been found to be a better predictor of over-reported memory complaints than Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) F, Back Infrequency (Fb), Infrequency-Psychopathology (Fp), and FBS scales. The MMPI-2-Restructured Form (RF) validity scales were designed to meet or exceed the sensitivity of their MMPI-2 counterparts to symptom over-reporting. This study examined the incremental validity of MMPI-2-RF validity scales and RBS in assessing memory complaints. The MMPI-2-RF over-reporting validity scales were more strongly associated with mean Memory Complaints Inventory scores than their MMPI-2 counterparts (d = 0.22 to 0.49). RBS showed the strongest relationship with memory complaints. Regression analyses demonstrated the incremental validity of the MMPI-2-RF Infrequent Responses, Infrequent Psychopathology Responses, Infrequent Somatic Responses, and FBS-r scales relative to MMPI-2 F, Fp, and FBS in predicting memory complaints. This is consistent with the development objectives of the MMPI-2-RF validity scales as more efficient and sensitive measures of symptom over-reporting.
Insights
The Response Bias Scale (RBS) and new MMPI-2-RF scales effectively identify over-reported memory complaints. RBS demonstrated the strongest association, highlighting its utility in memory complaint assessment.
Area of Science:
- Psychological Assessment
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuropsychology
Background:
- The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) has validity scales to detect symptom over-reporting.
- The MMPI-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) introduced new validity scales designed for enhanced sensitivity to over-reporting.
- The Response Bias Scale (RBS) is a known measure for over-reported memory complaints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incremental validity of MMPI-2-RF validity scales in assessing memory complaints.
- To compare the effectiveness of MMPI-2-RF validity scales and RBS against MMPI-2 scales for detecting over-reported memory complaints.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF validity scales against the Memory Complaints Inventory.
- Regression analyses to determine the predictive power of RBS and MMPI-2-RF scales.
- Examination of the incremental validity of specific MMPI-2-RF scales (e.g., Infrequent Responses, Infrequent Psychopathology Responses, Infrequent Somatic Responses, FBS-r).
Main Results:
- MMPI-2-RF over-reporting validity scales showed stronger associations with memory complaints than their MMPI-2 counterparts (d = 0.22 to 0.49).
- The Response Bias Scale (RBS) exhibited the strongest relationship with memory complaints.
- Regression analyses confirmed the incremental validity of MMPI-2-RF scales (IR, IP, IS, FBS-r) over MMPI-2 scales (F, Fp, FBS) in predicting memory complaints.
Conclusions:
- The MMPI-2-RF validity scales are more sensitive and efficient measures for detecting symptom over-reporting compared to MMPI-2 scales.
- RBS remains a highly effective tool for identifying over-reported memory complaints.
- These findings support the utility of MMPI-2-RF validity scales and RBS in clinical assessments of memory complaints.
