Construct Validity of DSM-5 Level 2 Assessments (PROMIS Depression, Anxiety, and Anger): Evidence From the MMPI-2-RF

The Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a NIH-funded measure that has item banks assessing a variety of physical, social, and mental health domains. Short forms from the emotional distress item bank (which includes measures of Depression, Anxiety, and Anger) were included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders-Fifth edition as emerging measures to be administered at intake to aid diagnosis and throughout treatment to track progress. The purpose of the current study was to further investigate the PROMIS distress item bank's construct validity using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). The sample included 344 college students (119 males, 225 females) who were administered the MMPI-2-RF and the PROMIS Anxiety, Anger, and Depression short forms. Zero-order correlations between the PROMIS scales and the Restructured Clinical Scales and Internalizing Specific Problems Scales were examined. Overall, these results suggest that scores from the PROMIS Anxiety, Anger, and Depression scales evidence convergent validity but have problematic construct validity (particularly for Depression). Future revision of the scales should be considered and sufficient external validation evidence should be available for review before psychological assessments are recommended and distributed for widespread clinical use.