The MMPI-2 Correction Factor for Closed-Head Injury: A Caveat for Forensic Cases

Abstract

This study empirically tests Gass's suggestion that the MMPI-2 is not appropriate for head-injured patients without a correction factor. Findings from the present study suggest that for forensic neuropsychological evaluations, the use of a correction factor is not supported. Endorsement rates on the 14 neurologically related items were compared between 59 head-injured subjects undergoing a forensic neuropsychological evaluation and 102 nonhead-injured subjects undergoing a forensic psychological evaluation. Results showed differential response frequencies on only 5 of the 14 neurologically related items. Mean T-score differences on affected scales (1, 2, 3, and 8) between standard scoring and subtracting the 5 significant items were negligible and not clinically significant. Thus, a correction factor for the MMPI-2 is not recommended in forensic neuropsychological evaluations.

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