Integrating psychopathology and personality disorders conceptualized by the MMPI-2-RF and the MCMI-III: a structural validity study

J Pers Assess. 2012;94(4):345-57. doi: 10.1080/00223891.2012.656861. Epub 2012 Feb 16.

Abstract

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008 ) Restructured Clinical scales and Higher Order scales were linked to the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (Millon, Millon, Davis, & Grossman, 2009 ) personality disorder scales and clinical syndrome scales in a Flemish/Dutch sample of psychiatric inpatients and outpatients, substance abuse patients, correctional inmates, and forensic psychiatric patients (N = 968). Structural validity of psychopathology and personality disorders as conceptualized by both instruments was investigated by means of principal component analysis. Results reveal a higher order structure with 4 dimensions (internalizing disorders, externalizing disorders, paranoid ideation/thought disturbance, and pathological introversion) that parallels earlier research on pathological personality dimensions as well as research linking pathological personality traits with mental disorders. Theoretical and clinical implications are considered.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Belgium
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MMPI*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory*
  • Netherlands
  • Personality Disorders / classification
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Systems Integration*
  • Young Adult