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Detecting Simulated Underreporting on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) in Veterans With
Lauren R Khazem1, Megan A Keen2, Taylor R Rodriguez3,4
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior
|March 26, 2025
Summary
The MMPI-3 K scale effectively identifies Veterans underreporting suicidal ideation, but some underreporting may still go undetected. This is crucial for suicide risk assessment in Veterans.
Area of Science:
- Psychological assessment
- Veterans' mental health
- Suicidology
Background:
- Identifying Veterans at high risk for suicide remains challenging due to reluctance in disclosing suicidal ideation.
- Accurate assessment of suicide risk is critical for effective intervention and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) for assessing suicide risk underreporting in Veterans.
- To examine the MMPI-3's ability to detect underreporting of suicidal ideation in a simulated experimental design.
Main Methods:
- A simulated groups experimental design with 39 Veterans was employed.
- Participants were randomized into standard and simulated underreporting groups.
- The study analyzed MMPI-3 scale scores (L and K) and their impact on the Suicide (SUI) scale and collateral suicide risk measures.
Main Results:
- The MMPI-3 K scale scores significantly differed between groups, indicating its sensitivity to simulated underreporting (g = 0.99).
- Underreporting, as captured by the K scale, led to lower MMPI-3 SUI scale scores (g = 2.00) and collateral suicide risk measures (g = 0.69-0.79).
- MMPI-3 K scale scores significantly predicted group membership and provided incremental predictive value over L scale scores.
Conclusions:
- MMPI-3 K scale scores are most effective in detecting defensive reporting of suicidal ideation, intent, and broader psychopathology.
- Despite the K scale's utility, a significant portion of suicidal ideation and intent underreporting may remain undetected.
- Findings highlight the importance of the MMPI-3 K scale in suicide risk assessment among Veterans, while acknowledging limitations in detecting all instances of underreporting.
