Associations between MMPI-2-RF Scale Scores and Self-Reported Personality Disorder Criteria in a Private Practice Sample

Abstract

The current study examined the associations between MMPI-2-RF scales and self-reported DSM-5 Section II personality disorder (PD) criteria in a large (n = 640) outpatient independent practice sample. We utilised correlation and regression analyses to evaluate the predictive utility of MMPI-2-RF scale scores in predicting latent PD scores. Results generally conformed to theoretical expectations and supported the MMPI-2-RF as a successful assessment tool of Section II PDs. Specifically, the majority of hypotheses between individual MMPI-2-RF scales and PD symptom scores were supported at the zero-order level, and regression analysis revealed unique predictors for each PD that were largely consistent with theoretical expectations. Further, these results provide additional evidence that DSM-5 Section II PDs can be represented in a dimensional framework using the MMPI-2-RF, which is pertinent when applying the current results within a broader context of evolving theoretical understanding of the composition and assessment of PDs, particularly with regard to the DSM-5 Section III personality model.