MCMI-II scoring: weighted and unweighted algorithms

This brief report examines the relationship between the scale scores derived through weighted and unweighted item scoring on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II). The inventories of 356 subjects across three samples were scored using weighted and unweighted algorithms. Correlations between the weighted and unweighted MCMI-II scales were found to approach unity. This casts doubt on whether the weighting system has substantial effect on the profiles that are generated or on reducing interscale correlations.     

MCMI-II Scoring: Weighted and Unweighted Algorithms

This brief report examines the relationship between the scale scores derived through weighted and unweighted item scoring on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II). The inventories of 356 subjects across three Samples were scored using weighted and unweighted algorithms. Correlations between the weighted and unweighted MCMI-II scales were found to approach unity. This casts doubt on whether the weighting system has substantial effect on the profiles that are generated or on reducing interscale correlations.     

Comparison of MCMI-II and 16PF Validity Scales

We administered the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II; Millon, 1987) and the Sixteen Personality Factors Inventory (16PF; Cattell, Eber, & Tatsuoka, 1970) to 131 outpatients in marital therapy and tested the correlation between the validity scales of the two instruments. The results indicated that MCMI-II Disclosure and Debasement scales were positively correlated with the 16PF Fake-Bad scale and negatively correlated with the 16PF Fake-Good scale. The MCMI-II Desirability scale was significantly correlated with the 16PF Fake-Good scale.     

Examining the construct validity of the Eating Disorder Inventory

The construct validity of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) was examined in 3 samples. An archival clinic sample (n = 318) of women completed the EDI, a structured interview, and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) indicated that neither null nor 1-factor models of the EDI fit item-level or item-parcel data. The proposed 8-factor model did not fit at the item level but did fit item-parcel data. Reliability estimates of the 8 scales ranged from .82 to .93, and low-to-moderate interscale correlations among the eating and weight-related scales provided partial support for convergent validity. EDI personality scales showed moderate interscale correlations and were associated with MCMI-II scales. A final CFA of the EDI scales supported a 2-factor model (Eating and Weight, Personality) of the 8 EDI scales. Strong associations between depression and several EDI scale scores were found in a treatment study sample (n = 50). The archival clinic sample scored significantly higher on the 8 EDI scales than the nonpatient college comparison sample (n = 487).     

Factor analysis of MCMI-II and PACL basic personality scales in a college sample

This study examined factor dimensions common to the eight basic personality scales of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II; Millon, 1987) and Personality Adjective Check List (PACL; Strack, 1987, 1990). Subjects were 140 college students (65 men and 75 women). MCMI-II weighted raw scores (WRS) and WRS corrected for number of items endorsed true by regression were employed for analysis along with PACL T-scores. Principal components analyses with varimax and direct oblimin rotations were carried out separately on the two sets of MCMI-II and PACL scores. MCMI-II and PACL scales measuring the same personalities were usually correlated most highly with each other, although some divergences were noted. WRS yielded three bipolar dimensions and a fourth unipolar method factor that loaded only the five MCMI-II scales that were strongly correlated with number of items endorsed true. Residual scores yielded a more meaningful set of three bipolar dimensions labeled Social Introversion-Extraversion, Emotionality-Restraint, and Social Dominance-Submissiveness, without the method factor, that were very similar to personality dimensions found separately in the two tests. More research is needed to clarify the response bias issue in the MCMI-II and to further explicate similarities and differences between the MCMI-II and the PACL.     

Factor Analysis of MCMI-II and PACL Basic Personality Scales in a College Sample

This study examined factor dimensions common to the eight basic personality scales of the Millon Clinical Multiaxiat Inventory-II (MCMI-II; Millon, 1987) and Personality Adjective Check List (PACL; Strack, 1987, 1990). Subjects were 140 college students (65 men and 75 women). MCMI-II weighted raw scores (WRS) and WRS corrected for number of items endorsed true by regression were employed for analysis along with PACL T-scores. Principal components analyses with varimax and direct oblimin rotations were carried out separately on the two sets of MCMI-II and PACL scores. MCMI-II and PACL scales measuring the same personalities were usually correlated most highly with each other, although some divergences were noted. WRS yielded three bipolar dimensions and a fourth unipolar method factor that loaded only the five MCMI-II scales that were strongly correlated with number of items endorsed true. Residual scores yielded a more meaningful set of three bipolar dimensions labeled Social IntroversionExtraversion, Emotionality-Restraint, and Social Dominance-Submissiveness, without the method factor, that were very similar to personality dimensions found separately in the two tests. More research is needed to clarify the response bias issue in the MCMI-II and to further explicate similarities and differences between the MCMI-II and the PACL.     

Neuroticism,coping and change in MCMI-II clinical syndromes: test of a mediator model

The aim of the study was to examine prospectively whether coping mediated the relation between Neuroticism and change in different clinical mental syndromes. Assessments were conducted with 154 former psychiatric outpatients six and seven years after their initial contact with an outpatient clinic. Dispositional coping mediated the relation between Neuroticism and change in four of the nine clinical scales of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II) (Millon, 1987). High Neuroticism led to coping strategies of disengagement and the venting of emotions and to a lack of problem-focused coping, which in turn translated into a relative increase on the MCMI-II scales. The mediator model of coping was found to apply to the MCMI-II scales "somatoform disorder’, ‘dysthymia’, ‘alcohol dependence’ and ‘thought disorder’. Results are discussed under the perspective of an integration of the positions of the transactional theory of stress and personality psychology. .     

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This study explored the effect of defensive (i. e., fake-good) responding by substance-abusing patients on the scale scores of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II; Millon, 1987). Patients asked to respond honestly (N = 62) had significantly higher scores on most of the scales than patients who were instructed to respond defensively (N = 62) and forensic subjects suspected of abusing psychoactive substances (N = 54). Significantly fewer subjects in the defensive responding simulation and the forensic group had elevated the Drug Dependence and Alcohol Dependence scales compared to the honestly responding patients. These results indicate that most drug-abusing individuals can conceal the presence of a substance-related disorder, as reflected by scale scores on the MCMI-II, if motivated to do so.     

MCMI-III Diagnostic Validity: Bad Test or Bad Validity Study

Operating characteristics describe the validity of tests that attempt to dichotomously predict a diagnosis. These statistics are not fully published in the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III Manual (MCMI-III manual Millon, 1994) When calculated from available statistics, the positive predictive powers of the MCMI-III scales are poor both in absolute terms and relative to the MCMI-II (Millon, 1987). There were a number of problems, however, with the initial MCMI-III validity study both inherently and in execution. Although it is doubtful that the MCMI-III is weaker than the MCMI-II, a new validity is needed.     

MCMI-II profiles of women with eating disorders: a cluster analytic investigation

A three-factor model of personality pathology was investigated in a clinical sample of 183 female patients in an outpatient eating disorders treatment program. Cluster analysis of MCMI-II personality scales (Millon, 1987) yielded three distinct personality profiles, which were consistent with previous studies. First, 16.9% of the sample comprised a High Functioning cluster, which manifested no clinical elevations on the MCMI-II and had significantly lower scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI; Garner; 1991) scales than the other two clusters. Second, 49.1% of the sample comprised an Undercontrolled/Dysregulated cluster. Finally, the remaining 34% of the sample comprised an Overcontrolled/Avoidant cluster. This final cluster had significantly higher EDI Ineffectiveness scale scores than the Undercontrolled/Dysregulated cluster group. Cluster membership was not associated with eating disorder subtype, suggesting that there is considerable variance in personality pathology within eating disorder diagnostic categories.     

A multitrait-multimethod analysis of the MCMI-II clinical syndrome scales

Multitrait-multimethod procedures and factor analyses were utilized to assess convergent/discriminant validity of the revised version of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II) clinical syndrome scales and effects of item overlap on scale performance. Except for the Delusional Disorder Scale (PP), convergent validity was supported, but poor discriminant validity was found for the Alcohol Dependence (B) scale, Drug Dependence (T) scale, and Scale PP. Item overlap did not influence performance for many scales. In fact, results indicate that some scales, such as Bipolar:Manic (N), may perform better in overlapping form, whereas others, such as Somatoform (H) and Scales B and T, are most affected by item overlap. Factor structure was generally stable, regardless of whether overlapping or nonoverlapping scales were utilized. However, substance abuse/dependence emerged as an independent factor when common item artifact was removed. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for clinical practice and further research.     

A Multitrait-Multimethod Analysis of the MCMI-II Clinical Syndrome Scales

Multitrait-multimethod procedures and factor analyses were utilized to assess convergent/discriminant validity of the revised version of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II) clinical syndrome scales and effects of item overlap on scale performance. Except for the Delusional Disorder Scale (PP), convergent validity was supported, but poor discriminant validity was found for the Alcohol Dependence (B) scale, Drug Dependence (T) scale, and Scale PP. Item overlap did not influence performance for many scales. In fact, results indicate that some scales, such as Bipolar: Manic (N), may perform better in overlapping form, whereas others, such as Somatoform (H) and Scales B and T, are most affected by item overlap. Factor structure was generally stable, regardless of whether overlapping or nonoverlapping scales were utilized. However, substance abuse/ dependence emerged as an independent factor when common item artifact was removed. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for clinical practice and further research.     

Personality and Coping Styles in the Prediction of Dropout From Treatment for Cocaine Abuse

This study was designed to distinguish between dropouts and completers of residential therapeutic community treatment for cocaine abuse on the basis of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II (MCMI-II; Millon,1987) and Ways of Coping Checklist (WCCL; Folkman, Lazarus, Dunkel-Schetter, DeLoagis, & Gruen, 1986) scales, which measure detached, dependent, and independent personality and coping styles. Dropouts were differentiated from completers in two discriminant functions defined, in part, by scores on scales that tap a fiercely independent orientation with manipulative, exploitive, and confrontive interpersonal features. Also contributing to the discriminant functions identified in this study were scores on scales that measure responsiveness to direction from others associated with strong desire for social approval and ability to establish self-control of emotional and behavioral reactions.     

An examination of the MMPI-2 Wiener-Harmon Subtle subscales for D and Hy: implications for parent scale and neurotic triad interpretation

This research explores the scale development process for the MMPI-2 Wiener and Harmon (1946) Subtle subscales for Depression (D) and Hysteria (Hy) to provide insight into why certain items were included on these scales and were subsequently but inappropriately assumed to be subtle indicators of the same pathology that the Obvious items measure. In this research, I also explore what the Subtle scales on D and Hy measure and their potential utility for the interpretation of their parent scales and the "neurotic triad." It was hypothesized that the D and Hy Subtle subscales are related to denial, repression, or both and this hypothesis was supported. In a sample of 1,240 inpatient and outpatient psychiatric patients at a large Army medical center, it was found that these subscales had strong positive correlations with othe scales on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2; Butcher, Dahlstrom. Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) related to denial, repression, or both. It was also found that they had strong negative correlations with scales on the MMPI-2 and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II; Millon, 1987) that are related to symptom endorsement, which can be considered the opposite of denial or repression. In addition, ratings of the Subtle items on D and Hy by clinical psychology residents were consistent with the hypothesis that these items reflect a denial of psychological or physical dysfunction.     

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Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) overlapping and nonoverlapping scales were demonstrated to perform comparably to their original MMPI forms. They were then evaluated for convergent and discriminant validity with the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II) personality disorder scales. The MMPI-2 and MCMI-II personality disorder scales demonstrated convergent and discriminant coefficients similar to their original forms. However, the MMPI-2 personality scales classified significantly more of the sample as Dramatic, whereas the MCMI-II diagnosed more of the sample as Anxious. Furthermore, single-scale and 2-point code type classification rates were quite low, indicating that at the level of the individual, the personality disorder scales are not measuring comparable constructs. Hence, each instrument is providing similar and unique information, justifying their continued use together for the purpose of diagnosing personality disorders.     

Detection of dissimulation with the new generation of objective personality measures

This study investigated the effectiveness of two recently developed measures of psychopathology—the Basic Personality Inventory (BPI) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial (Inventory-II) (MCMI-II) in detecting dissimulation (i.e., faking good and faking bad). Both personality measures have developed special ‘validity scales’ to discern dissimulating responses. Ninety-one undergraduate students completed the two personality scales under one of three instructional sets: fake good, fake bad, and honest. In general, the results indicated that both scales were effective in distinguishing the groups from one another. The MCMI-II was better at detecting fake bad responding, while the BPI appeared to be more effective in detecting fake good responding. These differences in identifying fake good and fake bad response styles can be attributed to the method in which the scales were constructed.     

MCMI-II Report Style and Bias: Profile and Validity Scales Analyses

This study examines the behavior of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II) in the face of various response styles and biases. The profiles and validity configurations of eight different test-taking styles were analyzed. Four hundred MCMI-II inventories (50 for each of the following categories) were administered or generated to produce the following: (a) normal endorsement by subjects, (b) fake good for administrative reasons, (c) fake good for clinical reasons, (d) fake bad administratively, (e) fake bad clinically, (f) 50% true/50% false computer generated, (g) 95% true computer generated, and (h) 95% false computer generated. Good statistical and clinically relevant separation of the profiles was found for normal, fake good, fake bad, and the randomly generated profiles with 44% of the variance predicted. The percentage of profiles identified by validity scales, however, was modest.     

MCMI-II report style and bias: profile and validity scales analyses

This study examines the behavior of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II) in the face of various response styles and biases. The profiles and validity configurations of eight different test-taking styles were analyzed. Four hundred MCMI-II inventories (50 for each of the following categories) were administered or generated to produce the following: (a) normal endorsement by subjects, (b) fake good for administrative reasons, (c) fake good for clinical reasons, (d) fake bad administratively, (e) fake bad clinically, (f) 50% true/50% false computer generated, (g) 95% true computer generated, and (h) 95% false computer generated. Good statistical and clinically relevant separation of the profiles was found for normal, fake good, fake bad, and the randomly generated profiles with 44% of the variance predicted. The percentage of profiles identified by validity scales, however, was modest.     

Empirically derived personality subtypes of public psychiatric patients: effect on self-reported symptoms, coping inclinations, and evaluation of expressed emotion in caregivers.

Personality scales on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II) for 195 psychiatric inpatients (93 men and 102 women) in a public facility were cluster analyzed to develop an empirical subtyping according to personality traits. Subjects also completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Methods of Coping Scale (MOC), and the Level of Expressed Emotion Scale (LEE). The five personality subtypes that emerged were consistent across two clustering methods (K-means and complete linkage). Subtypes members differed on subscales of the BSI, MOC, and LEE. Results support the relevance of personality traits and disorders in assessing psychopathology in psychiatric patients. Results also support the relevance of subtyping these patients according to MCMI-II results.     

An examination of three sets of MMPI-2 personality disorder scales

Three sets of personality disorder scales (PD scales) can be scored for the MMPI-2 (Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989). Two sets (Levitt & Gotts, 1995; Morey, Waugh, & Blashfield, 1985) are derived from the MMPI (Hathaway & McKinley, 1983), and a third set (Somwaru & Ben-Porath, 1995) is based on the MMPI-2. There is no validity research for the Levitt and Gotts scale, and limited validity research is available for the Somwaru and Ben-Porath scales. There is a large body of research suggesting that the Morey et al. scales have good to excellent convergent validity when compared to a variety of other measures of personality disorders. Since the Morey et al. scales have established validity, there is a question if additional sets of PD scales are needed. The primary purpose of this research was to determine if the PD scales developed by Levitt and Gotts and those developed by Somwaru and Ben-Porath contribute incrementally to the scales developed by Morey et al. in predicting corresponding scales on the MCMI-II (Millon, 1987). In a sample of 494 individuals evaluated at an Army medical center, a hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that the Somwaru and Ben-Porath Borderline, Antisocial, and Schizoid PD scales and the Levitt and Gotts Narcissistic and Histrionic scales contributed significantly and meaningfully to the Morey et al. scales in predicting the corresponding MCMI-II (Millon, 1987) scale. However, only the Somwaru and Ben-Porath scales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and convergent validity.