Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2)

Amina Fahim

F2024-0158

Institute of Psychology, Beaconhouse National University

Assessment and Diagnosis for Adults

Dr. Farhat Nadeem

20 March 2025
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Bio Data

Name Ms. H.R

Gender Female

Age 61 years

No. of Siblings 9

Birth Order 9th

Education Bachelor’s Degree

Marital Status Widowed

Examining Psychologist A.F

Date of Assessment 01/03/25

Informant L.R (Daughter)

Purpose of Evaluation

Ms. H.R was referred to by her general physician for a psychological assessment due to

complaints of depressive mood and inability to fall asleep by the client.

Presenting Complaints Duration

- Fatigue 1 year

- Depressed mood 2 years

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- Loss of interest in socializing with others 2 years

- Inability to cry or express emotions 2 years

Background Information

Ms. H.R resides in Lahore and is currently living with her daughter in a joint family

system. She works as a secondary school teacher at a private school. She had been married to her

husband for 30 years when he passed away due to a car accident 2 years prior to the assessment.

She had 2 children, the son was married and living abroad, and she reported being on good terms

with both of them. She had reported being physically healthy and had not undergone any major

surgeries. She reported that she had always been outgoing and social, but ever since her husband

passed away, she had experienced low mood, social withdrawal, insomnia, an inability to cry and

low energy levels. She reported a family history of mental illnesses such as depression and

obsessive-compulsive disorder from her mother’s side.

Behavioral Observations:

The client was well-groomed, wore appropriate clothes and appeared healthy for her age.

The client was generally pleasant, complaint and easy to establish rapport with. Incongruence

between her statements and affect were noted when she talked about her husband’s passing while

smiling. The client’s cognitive processing was slightly slow, as she would request some

instructions to be repeated. Her rate of speech was slightly slow. She reported some discomfort

from having to use a pencil as she stated she had stiffness in her fingers and hands, however her

gross motor skills such as gait seemed well coordinated and executed.

Tests Administered

Assessment was carried out by administering

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1. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2)

1. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2)

MMPI-2 allows the clinician to assess the client's typical behaviors and thinking patterns.

The test findings help the clinician to determine the severity of impairment, outlook on life,

approaches to problem solving, typical mood states, likely diagnoses, and potential obstacles in

the treatment. The MMPI-2 is used in a wide range of settings for many purposes. The inventory

is often used as part of inpatient psychiatric assessments, differential diagnosis, and outpatient

evaluations.

Results

The results for MMPI are calculated by analyzing responses on the basis of two types of

subscales as following:

i. Validity Scales ( To evaluate validity of client’s responses)

ii. Clinical Scales (To get an understanding of client’s behaviors with regard to ten

Clinical subscales)
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i. Validity Scales

Sr. Sub-Scale Raw T- Interpretation Guidelines

No. Score Score

1 Cannot Say (?) 0 - -

2 Variable Response 07 58 Average score

Inconsistency(VRIN)

3 True Response 12(T) 73(T) Elevated true score, indicates client has

Inconsistency(TRIN) 7(F) 65(F) a tendency to agree with items, profile is

considered valid, however may be

characterized by acquiescence or a

tendency to comply

4 Infrequency(F) 10 72 Elevated score, client reported a number

of psychological problems, profile is
likely valid, could be interpretated as a
cry for help
5 Backside F(Fb) 0 42 Less than average score, profile is likely
valid
6 Infrequency 2 56 Average score, profile is likely valid

Psychopathology(Fp)

7 Fake Bad Scale (FBS) 12 47 Average score, profile is likely valid

8 Lie(L) 06 63 Average score, profile is likely valid

9 Correction(K) 17 55 Average score, profile is likely valid

10 Superlative Self- 19 43 Less than average score, profile is likely

Presentation(S) valid

The overall analysis of validity profile indicates that client’s responses are valid and honest and
can be interpreted further for clinical scales.
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ii. Clinical Scales

Sr. Sub-Scale Raw T- Interpretation Guidelines

No. Score Score
1 Hypochondriasis (Hs+.5K) 21 67 High score, client is likely to be
preoccupied with health problems
and is likely to develop somatic
symptoms in times of stress

2 Depression (D) 33 77 Very high score, client is likely to

have clinical depression, feels
pessimistic, hopeless, feelings of
inadequacy and worthlessness,
may be preoccupied with guilt,
death and suicide
3 Hysteria (Hy) 28 63 Moderate score, client may
experience somatic complaints

4 Psychopathic Deviate 38 88 Very high score, client may exhibit

antisocial behavior and have
(Pd+.4K)
trouble with the law
5 Masculinity-Femininity (Mf) 27 72 High score, client may reject
traditional feminine roles, may
have conflicts about own sexuality
6 Paranoia (Pa) 11 52 Average score
7 Psychesthenia (Pt+1K) 32 58 Moderate score, client may be
anxious, tense, uncomfortable,
insecure, lacking self-confidence,
indecisive, shy and introverted
8 Schizophrenia (Sc+1K) 36 66 High score, client may have
unusual beliefs, eccentric
behaviors, social withdrawal,
generalized fear, anxiety, excessive
daydreaming, feel blue, feel sad,
have somatic complaints
9 Hypomania (Ma+.2K) 23 59 Moderate score, the client may be
extroverted, rebellious, seek
excitement, creative

10 Social Introversion (Si) 32 55 Moderate score, shy, timid, lacks

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self-confidence, reliable, dependable

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Interpretation

The client’s profile was analyzed for validity and scores on the scales depict that while

the client may have a tendency to agree or comply with items, the profile is likely to be valid for

clinical interpretation. Analysis of the clinical scales indicates that clinical attention may be

necessary due to elevated scores on the Depression scale, which means she may be at risk of self-

harm or suicidal behaviors. Additionally, elevated scores on the Psychopathic Deviation scale are

also concerning as the client may get in trouble with the law if symptoms are left unattended.

The client also has elevated scores on the Hypochondriasis scale which means she is preoccupied

with her physical or somatic symptoms, likely due to an inability to express psychological

discomfort and emotions. Elevated scores on the Masculinity-Femininity scale indicate that the

client struggles with conforming to traditional feminine roles which could also explain why she

struggles with conforming to societal rules and norms (as depicted on elevated Psychopathic

Deviation score). The client’s score on the Schizophrenia scale is also elevated, which may be

due to social withdrawal, feelings of sadness, anxiety and somatic complaints that are consistent

with the presenting complaints of depressive symptoms. A mild elevation on the Hypomanic

scale may be consistent with the client’s report of her pre-morbid functioning and personality as

outgoing, social and rebellious.

Two-point Coding of Clinical Profile

The clinical profile of the client was further explained with the help of two-point code

type interpretation. As it is observed in the clinical profile that there is more than one elevation

on the clinical subscales, therefore code-type interpretation often produces more accurate and

clinically useful interpretations than merely interpreting individual scales.

24/42 (Depression/Psychopathic Deviate)

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Those with elevations on these scales are likely to have difficulties controlling impulses

which can lead to substance abuse and run-ins with the law. The depressive symptoms

experienced by people with such a code type are usually situational and are likely to subside

once the situation changes. This code is also associated with personality disorders such as

antisocial personality disorder, particularly if the Paranoia scale is also elevated. However, the

client does not have elevated scores on the Paranoia scale, so this seems unlikely. Nevertheless,

those with this code type should be assessed for substance abuse.

Summary of Assessment

The results should be interpreted with caution because of possible suicidal risk. A possible

diagnosis of personality disorder and substance abuse should be ruled out. The client needs

careful supervision of mental health professionals as she may be at risk of self-harm. Moreover,

continued family support is needed to counter significant symptoms of depression.

Recommendations

 Client should be thoroughly assessed for risk of self-harm, suicide, and harming others

 Comprehensive assessment is required to rule out personality and substance use disorders

 Combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) to

address depression, emotional regulation, and social functioning

 Complete medical evaluation to assess for any medical conditions that may be

contributing to somatic symptoms

 Strengths/weaknesses evaluation to tailor interventions for client in weak areas such as

social skills, emotional regulation

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References

Groth-Marnat, G. (2005). Handbook of psychological assessment. J. Wiley, Cop.

Hathaway, S. R., & McKinley, J. C. (1951). Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory;

manual (Revised). Psychological Corporation.

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Appendix