Use of the MMPI to predict effective hotline workers

Area of Science:

• Psychological assessment
• Volunteer training and selection
• Crisis intervention

Background:

• Effective interviewer selection is crucial for crisis hotlines.
• The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a widely used psychological assessment tool.
• Objective criteria are needed to evaluate volunteer effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if the MMPI can differentiate between effective and ineffective hotline volunteers.
• To assess the predictive validity of MMPI scales for interviewer performance.
• To improve the selection process for crisis hotline volunteers.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for assessment.
• Volunteer effectiveness was defined by a criterion of 40% or more "good responses" during crisis calls.
• The Therapist Error Checklist served as the criterion measure for performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• A specification equation using standard MMPI scales correctly identified 91% of effective interviewers.
• The same equation accurately classified 90% of ineffective interviewers.
• The MMPI demonstrated high accuracy in discriminating between the two volunteer groups.

Conclusions:

• The MMPI is a valuable tool for predicting hotline volunteer effectiveness.
• Utilizing MMPI-based criteria can significantly enhance the selection of crisis intervention volunteers.
• This research supports the use of psychological assessments in volunteer screening for sensitive roles.