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Psychological testing is an important component of the screening process for public safety officers. The use of standardized measures is intended to increase the objectivity of preemployment evaluations, highlighting the importance of examining tests used in these assessments for evidence of differential validity. Differential validity is indicated when a screening measure is unequally associated with, or systematically over- or under-predicts, a criterion across demographic groups. In the current study, we examined for differential validity in Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) scores in a sample of 527 police officer candidates (455 males, 72 females). We first calculated correlations between MMPI-3 scores and job-relevant historical variables. Next, for variable pairings that yielded at least a small effect size, regression models were estimated in a multi-group framework comparing associations between MMPI-3 scores and the historical variables across men and women. The analyses yielded statistical evidence of negligible differential validity across gender in police officer screenings. Implications of these findings and limitations of this study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a NIH-funded measure that has item banks assessing a variety of physical, social, and mental health domains. Short forms from the emotional distress item bank (which includes measures of Depression, Anxiety, and Anger) were included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders–Fifth edition as emerging measures to be administered at intake to aid diagnosis and throughout treatment to track progress. The purpose of the current study was to further investigate the PROMIS distress item bank's construct validity using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2–Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). The sample included 344 college students (119 males, 225 females) who were administered the MMPI-2-RF and the PROMIS Anxiety, Anger, and Depression short forms. Zero-order correlations between the PROMIS scales and the Restructured Clinical Scales and Internalizing Specific Problems Scales were examined. Overall, these results suggest that scores from the PROMIS Anxiety, Anger, and Depression scales evidence convergent validity but have problematic construct validity (particularly for Depression). Future revision of the scales should be considered and sufficient external validation evidence should be available for review before psychological assessments are recommended and distributed for widespread clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating disorders (EDs), particularly anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), are characterized by emotional and behavioral disturbances in eating patterns and body image that result in significant distress and functional impairment (as reported by APA, (APA dictionary of psychology, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, 2015)). Ben-Porath and colleagues (Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 40:115-123, 2010) have researched the effectiveness of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) day treatment program in reducing negative mood regulation and anxiety among women diagnosed with AN, BN, and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). The current study extended past research on the effectiveness of DBT day treatment by analyzing the improvement in these patients' scores on the beck anxiety inventory (BAI) and the generalized expectancy for negative mood regulation (NMR) Scale after treatment. We compared pre- and post-treatment scores using paired samples t-tests. We also examined rates of clinically significant change in these areas post-treatment. The results indicated that participants demonstrated a reduction in expectancies for negative mood dysregulation and anxiety after undergoing DBT day treatment for EDs. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the convergent validity of the substantive scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) in the Veteran Affairs (VA) population. The sample includes test protocols drawn from all administrations of the MMPI-2-RF or MMPI-2 entered into the electronic medical record system between January 1, 2008 and May 31, 2015 at any VA across the United States. After excluding invalid protocols, substantive scale scores were correlated with external measures of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder if they were administered within |14| days of the MMPI-2/-RF. Results supported the convergent validity of the MMPI-2-RF emotional dysfunction domain scores. Discriminant validity for the remaining MMPI-2-RF substantive scale scores was also adequate. Limitations and implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a flexible and conditional administration (FCA) for the MMPI–2–RF in archival samples of spine surgery and spinal cord simulator candidates presenting for presurgical psychological evaluations. The sample included 1,477 spine surgery candidates (709 male, 276 female) and 476 spinal cord stimulator candidates (178 male, 298 female). Using a simulation design, the results of this study indicated that an FCA of the MMPI–2–RF closely approximates the amount of information gained from a standard MMPI–2–RF administration. In addition, time savings were substantial in both samples, particularly the spine surgery sample, as item savings varied from 40% to 80%, depending on the number of substantive domains flexibly administered. Overall, the results of the study lend support for the feasibility of the FCA approach in presurgical evaluations of spine surgery candidates, in particular for those situations where the length of the test would otherwise preclude its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]