Criterion-related diagnostic validity and test-retest reliability of the MMPI-168(L) in mentally retarded adolescents and adults

• Published in: Journal of clinical psychology 1997-08, Vol.53 (5), p.485-489
• Main Author: McDaniel, W. F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Comorbidity; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability - diagnosis; Intellectual Disability - epidemiology; Intellectual Disability - psychology; Male; Medical sciences; Mental Disorders - diagnosis; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental retardation; Middle Aged; MMPI - statistics & numerical data; Neurocognitive Disorders - diagnosis; Psychological tests; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychometrics; Psychometrics. Diagnostic aid systems; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Psychotic Disorders - psychology; Reliability; Reproducibility of Results; Schizophrenia - diagnosis; Techniques and methods; Validity
• ISSN: 0021-9762; 1097-4679
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(199708)53:5<485::AID-JCLP10>3.0.CO;2-A

Sixty‐three persons residing in an institution and diagnosed with mild or moderate mental retardation were assessed with a modification of the MMPI‐168. Fifty‐one of the residents also had psychiatric disturbances. The residents were divided into three categories on the bases of pre‐existing DSM III‐R diagnoses. The categories were “psychotic,” “executive control dysfunction,” and “other‐control.” Significant differences were observed between the psychotic group and the other‐control group on scales F, K, 6, and 8. Reevaluations were conducted four to 22 months later (MDN = 12 months). Significant test–retest reliability was found with scales L, F, K, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. The MMPI‐168(L) can serve as an objective instrument in the assessment of thought disturbance and personality in mentally retarded persons. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 53: 485–489, 1997.