Extending Validity Evidence for the MMPI-3: The Role of Collateral Report in Adult Assessment

Area of Science:

• Psychological Assessment
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Evidence-based clinical psychological assessment relies on integrating multiple data sources.
• Adult assessments predominantly use client self-reports, unlike youth assessments where collateral reports are common.
• Existing research indicates collateral ratings offer valuable supplementary information throughout the lifespan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the criterion-related and incremental validity of collateral reports via the ASEBA Adult Behavior Checklist (ABCL).
• To assess the association between ABCL collateral reports and MMPI-3 Restructured Clinical and Specific Problems Scales.
• To determine if collateral reports significantly enhance the variance accounted for by self-reports in predicting MMPI-3 scales.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 107 undergraduate students who completed self-report measures and recruited a collateral reporter.
• Participants were predominantly White (61.8%), and collateral reporters were typically friends or roommates.
• Correlations between hypothesized MMPI-3 and ABCL scales were analyzed, ranging from -0.00 to .43.

Main Results:

• Correspondence between MMPI-3 scales and corresponding ABCL scales was modest and variable.
• Collateral reports demonstrated incremental validity in seven out of 12 models, with small to medium effect sizes (58.3%).
• Specific correlations included ABCL Intrusive-MMPI-3 Activation (-0.00) and ABCL Anxious-Depressed-MMPI-3 Demoralization (.43).

Conclusions:

• Collateral reports via the ABCL show modest and variable correspondence with congruent MMPI-3 scales.
• The findings extend criterion-related validity evidence for the MMPI-3.
• Collateral reports provide unique incremental information, supporting the use of multi-informant data in adult psychological assessment.