title: Detecting random, partially random, and nonrandom Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent protocols.
abstract: The ability of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A; J. N. Butcher et al., 1992) validity scales to detect random, partially random, and nonrandom MMPI-A protocols was investigated. Investigations included the Variable Response Inconsistency scale (VRIN), F, several potentially useful new F and VRIN subscales, and formulas F-sub-2 - F-sub-1 and F + F-sub-2 + |F - F-sub-2|. Protocols completed by 150 adolescents at a juvenile court setting, screened for randomness with a matched-pair Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI) or Jesness Inventory, were compared with 100 computer-generated, all-random protocols, and with 5 levels of partially random protocols. VRIN was the most effective scale in detecting all-random protocols; however, the optimum cutoff of >or= 75 failed to identify 1/3 of them. Using the new scales, a decision algorithm was described that correctly classified 94%-95% of protocols as interpretable, partially interpretable, or uninterpretable.
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Study of Interpersonal Violence, USA. tpinsoneault@neo.rr.com
authors.forename: Terry B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Pinsoneault
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent / Q000379:methods*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D011897:Random Allocation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity