Clinical Utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent Restructured Form in the Assessment of Internalizing and Externalizing Disorders in Adolescents: A Preliminary Approach

• Published in: Soa--chʻŏngsonyŏn chŏngsin ŭihak = Journal of child & adolescent psychiatry Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 268 - 274
• Main Authors: Yun, Hye Ji, Park, Eun Hee, Hong, Hyun Ju
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한소아청소년정신의학회 01.10.2023; Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Subjects: Original; MMPI-A-RF; Externalizing; Discriminant analysis; Internalizing; Adolescent
• ISSN: 1225-729X; 2233-9183
• DOI: 10.5765/jkacap.230039

ObjectivesThis study investigated whether the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent Restructured Form (MMPI-ARF) can differentiate between two groups of adolescents, one diagnosed with internalizing disorders and another with externalizing disorders, and examined the clinical utility of the MMPI-A-RF by examining which subscales can significantly discriminate between these two groups. MethodsA total of 105 adolescents aged 13-18 years completed the MMPI-A-RF (53 internalizing disorder and 52 externalizing disorder groups). Independent t-test, chi-square test (χ2), and discriminant analysis were used to examine whether MMPI-A-RF can distinguish between the two groups. ResultsSixteen MMPI-A-RF scales best predicted differences between the groups with internalizing and externalizing disorders. Fourteen scales (Higher-Order Scale [Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction], Restructured Clinical [RC] Scale [RC demoralization, Somatic Complaints (RC1), and Low Positive Emotions (RC2)], Personality Psychopathology Five Scale [Introversion/Low Positive Emotionality- Revised, Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism-Revised], Somatic/Cognitive Scale [Malaise, Head Pain Complaints, and Gastrointestinal Complaints], Internalizing Scale [Stress/Worry, Self-Doubt], Externalizing Scale [Negative School Attitudes], Interpersonal Scale [Social Avoidance, Shyness]) were associated with the internalizing disorder group, whereas two scales (Externalizing Scale [Conduct Problems, Negative Peer Influence]) were associated with the externalizing disorder group. ConclusionThe MMPI-A-RF can be an efficient assessment tool for a quick diagnosis as it can classify individuals with internalizing and externalizing disorders in clinical settings that lack a variety of assessment tools for children and adolescents.