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MCMI-II item weights: their lack of effectiveness
D L Streiner1, J O Goldberg, H R Miller
1Department of Psychiatry, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Personality Assessment
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Item weighting on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II (MCMI-II) does not improve psychometric properties. This method reduces clinical accessibility without enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Psychological assessment
- Clinical psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II (MCMI-II) is a widely used psychological assessment tool.
- The use of item weights in scoring the MCMI-II has been debated regarding its impact on psychometric properties and clinical utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of item weighting on the psychometric properties of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II.
- To determine if item weighting affects scale correlations and clinical accessibility.
Main Methods:
- Scoring of Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II (MCMI-II) results from 134 patients was performed twice: once with item weights and once without.
- Statistical analysis focused on comparing correlations between weighted and unweighted scale scores.
Main Results:
- Correlations between weighted and unweighted versions of MCMI-II scales consistently exceeded .90.
- Item weighting did not significantly alter the correlations among scales, either within or between MCMI-II categories.
Conclusions:
- Item weighting of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II (MCMI-II) offers no discernible psychometric advantages.
- The practice of item weighting may hinder clinical accessibility of the MCMI-II without improving its psychometric performance.