C-91Does Neurocognitive Functioning Contribute to MMPI-2-RF Somatic and Cognitive Validity Scale Scores?

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated a relationship between MMPI-2-RF validity scales and performance validity tests (PVTs). However, no studies to date have examined whether actual neurocognitive functioning contributes to the scores on MMPI-2-RF somatic and cognitive validity scales.

METHOD: Participants were 120 patients referred for neuropsychological evaluations. Pearson correlations were utilized to assess the relationship between various neurocognitive measures and the RBS, FBS-r, and Fs scales of the MMPI-2-RF. Participants were subsequently classified according to PVT performances. Ninety-seven participants passed all PVTs administered and 23 participants failed 2+ PVTs. Hierarchical regression was used to determine the incremental variance in MMPI-2-RF validity scores attributable to neurocognitive test performance after accounting for PVT status.

RESULTS: RBS significantly correlated with verbal ability, working memory, immediate recall, delayed recall, and executive functioning at the p < .01 level. Both FBS-r and Fs were significantly related to working memory. None of the MMPI-2-RF scales examined were significantly related to visuospatial functioning or mental processing speed. PVT performance accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in RBS (R(2) = .120), FBS-r (R(2) = .141), and Fs (R(2) = .06). After controlling for PVT performance, however, the relationships between neurocognitive test performance and MMPI-2-RF validity measures were no longer significant, with the exception of verbal ability and RBS (p < .01).

CONCLUSION(S): The findings support the use of RBS, FBS-r, and Fs in neuropsychological evaluations, as these scales were generally not influenced by actual neurocognitive functioning. Additionally, the results provide further convergent validity for RBS, FBS-r, and Fs as measures of symptom validity.