Organizing the Content of an MMPI-2 Interpretation for Feedback |
| | Stephen E. Finn in Using the MMPI-2 as a Therapeutic Intervention offers the following tips for areas to interpret in a feedback session.
Some Implications of MMPI-2 Scale Elevations for Test Feedback Cannot Say (?) A high number of omissions suggests evasiveness, lack of cooperation with the testing, or "pickiness." In the last case, the client may react to anxiety by focusing on small details in the test feedback and either challenging them or asking the assessor to elaborate. Beware of getting sidetracked in the feedback session. L Elevations suggest an unwillingness or inability to self-disclose. Such clients have little psychological awareness and rigid character defenses, and are easily threatened by information that challenges their view of themselves as "nice" people. When emotionally stressed, they tend to react with denial and sometimes hostility. (Look elsewhere in the profile for signs of anger) F Elevations may indicate fragility and weak ego strength. Such clients are easily overwhelmed and can incorporate a limited amount of new information. They may have intense emotional reactions to test feedback. It can be useful to have family members or friends close by to help support the client after the feedback session. K As with elevations on ? and L, elevations on K suggest that the client has reservations about participating in the assessment and is concerned about disclosing information that might be socially undesirable. Alternatively, the client may have limited psychological awareness and may minimize problems, even to her- or himself. When confronted with test feedback that challenges their self-concepts, these clients typically reject or deny the importance of such feedback. Scale 1 Clients with elevations on Scale 1 often lack psychological insight and prefer medical or physical explanations for problems. They become quite defensive when medical problems are attributed to psychological causes, reacting with denial and hostility. The assessor may gain credence by emphasizing the use of the MMPI-2 in medical settings, and by discussing how stress influences "real" medical conditions. Scale 2 Clients with moderate or high elevations on Scale 2 readily admit to problems; however, they are often unaware of many interpersonal issues that show up elsewhere in the MMPI-2 protocol (e.g., anger). Such clients may focus exclusively on "negative" feedback and become despairing and pessimistic when overwhelmed. At the end of the feedback session, it is often good to ask these clients to summarize what was said, so the assessor may correct any negative distortions. Clients with mild elevations on Scale 2 are sometimes unaware of being depressed and are quite surprised when such an interpretation is made. (Look at scores on DEP, and D1 to judge client awareness of depression) Scale 3 Clients with elevations on Scale 3 lack psychological awareness, especially of anger and anxiety, and are resistant to psychological interpretations of problems. When overwhelmed by test feedback, they react with denial or confusion. Such clients respond well to concrete suggestions and recommendations. Scale 4 Clients with elevations on Scale 4 externalize responsibility and have little insight into their own contributions to their problems. A direct, "no-nonsense" approach is often best for giving feedback to such clients. When confronted they may try to turn the discussion to complaints about others or may react with angry denials. Scale 6 Elevations suggest extreme sensitivity and these clients usually have a great interest in receiving test feedback. Although they are quite perceptive about other people, clients with Scale 6 elevations often have little insight into their own contribution to interpersonal problems. They are easily threatened by feedback that is inconsistent with their self-concept and react with criticism, hostility, and flat rejections of test findings. It is important to use neutral, nonjudgmental terms when giving feedback to these clients and to be on the lookout for negative distortions of what one says. Scale 7 Elevations may indicate a readiness to admit to problems, but such clients usually can incorporate very little test feedback. They typically defend by intellectualizing and may obsess about minor details of the feedback. The assessor should present a calm, steady demeanor and explain test results in a concrete, down-to-earth manner. Tie results to real-life examples as much as possible and be wary of being drawn into intellectual discussions. Scale 8 Clients with elevations on Scale 8 are often easily confused in feedback sessions and grow withdrawn, tangential, and inattentive when presented with too much information. They have a tendency to distort what is said by the assessor, and it is good to ask them to repeat findings at the end of the feedback session. Scale 9 Clients with elevations on Scale 9 are easily overwhelmed by test feedback. They have short attention spans and are likely to go off on tangents. They externalize responsibility and may become hostile if their defenses are severely challenged in feedback sessions. Clients with low scores on Scale 9 have little energy and become hopeless if too much information is presented in the feedback session. Recommendations for such clients must be kept few and simple; they become lethargic and despairing if asked to do too many new things. Scale 0 Clients with elevations on Scale 0 tend to decline feedback sessions, but may agree to them if encouraged. Like clients with elevations on Scale 2, these clients readily admit to problems and resist discussion of possible strengths in their personalities. When stressed, they often react with skepticism and withdrawal. It is good to check at the end of the feedback session for negative distortions of test findings. |