New Versions of the MMPI and Rorschach: How Have Training Programs Responded?

In this brief article, we update the training of newer versions of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and Rorschach and compare to a 2015 assessment training survey of American Psychological Association accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs. The survey sample sizes for 2015, 2021, and 2022 were 83, 81, and 88, respectively. By 2015, of the programs teaching any adult MMPI version, almost all (94%) were still teaching the MMPI-2, and 68% had started teaching the MMPI-2-RF. In 2021 and 2022, respectively, almost all programs (96% and 94%) had started teaching the MMPI-2-RF or MMPI-3, although most were still teaching the MMPI-2 (77% and 66%). By 2015, of the programs teaching the Rorschach, 85% were still teaching the Comprehensive System (CS) and 60% had started teaching the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS). In 2021 and 2022, respectively, most programs had started teaching R-PAS (77% and 77%) although many (65% and 50%) were still teaching the CS. Therefore, doctoral programs are indeed switching to newer versions of the MMPI and Rorschach, although more slowly than one might expect. We recommend that APA provide more guidance in selecting test versions for training programs, practitioners, and researchers.

Assessing the Impact of Relationship Profile Test Scores, Self-Identified Ethnic Group, and Gender on Adult Attachment Style.

ABSTRACT: Research shows that the subscales of the Relationship Profile Test (RPT) are related to adult attachment. Gender differences have been implicated, but findings are inconsistent in terms of replication. A limited amount of research has been conducted on ethnic differences in the context of interpersonal dependency. This study aims to bridge the gap in the literature in terms of using the RPT to predict attachment styles and to assess gender and ethnic group differences in RPT scores. Four samples from various treatment settings were combined to yield a heterogeneous group of ethnically diverse men and women (N = 470) with a mean age of 31.96. No gender differences were observed; however, ethnic differences were noted, with the RPT scales predicting unique variance in secure and insecure attachment styles. This study evidences the incremental validity of the RPT scales when predicting adult attachment style with consideration of ethnic group differences, which can help inform the treatment and assessment process.

Examining the Interpersonal Profiles and Nomological Network Associated with Narcissistic Grandiosity and Narcissistic Vulnerability.

Theory and research have consistently shown that pathological narcissism can best be described by 2 phenotypic expressions, narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability. The current study sought to examine the specific types of interpersonal problems reported by those high in narcissistic grandiosity and high in narcissistic vulnerability as well as examine the nomological network associated with these 2 manifestations of narcissism. In a sample of university students who completed self-report measures of pathological narcissism, interpersonal problems, depression, self-esteem, malignant self-regard, self-defeating personality disorder symptoms, and anger, we found that narcissistic grandiosity (n = 108) was associated with one distinct interpersonal profile, for example, being overly intrusive in relationships with others, while narcissistic vulnerability (n = 88) was associated with a wider range of interpersonal problems on the interpersonal circumplex. Using cluster analysis, we found 3 interpersonal subtypes associated with narcissistic vulnerability, an intrusive subtype, a cold subtype, and a socially avoidant subtype. Further examination of group differences showed that the 3 interpersonal subtypes associated with narcissistic vulnerability could also be distinguished based on their experience and expression of anger. This suggests the importance of assessing profiles of interpersonal functioning and anger in narcissistic vulnerability. The clinical implications of our results are discussed.

The relationship between trainee therapist traits with the use of self-disclosure and immediacy in psychotherapy.

The goal of the present study was to explore how self-disclosure (SD) and immediacy relate to trainee therapists' personal characteristics. A prospective multitrait multimethod assessment approach was utilized to assess a wide range of trainee characteristics at the beginning of graduate school. Results showed a significant, positive relationship between trainee interpersonal problems and SD for trainees (n = 33) in their third psychotherapy session with their first patient. Moreover, greater use of SD correlated with less session depth, as rated by the trainee. Greater use of immediacy was positively related to trainee undergraduate grade point average and trainee-reported post-session arousal. Notably, all statistically significant findings had a moderate magnitude of effect. Finally, qualitative analyses of the SDs and immediacy statements were included to aid the discussion of potential reasons for the results. Overall, our findings provide preliminary conclusions about which trainees utilize SD and immediacy, what types of SDs and immediacy interventions they tend to use, and how trainees and patients perceived the session in which SD and immediacy were implemented. Implications for supervision and training are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Comparing DSM-5-Hybrid, SWAP, and PDM prototype models of personality disorders: Convergent and divergent findings.

Although dimensional models of personality disorders are of great interest, there exist three methods by which personality disorders may be diagnosed for their fit to a predetermined prototype. In this study, we evaluate a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), hybrid model prototype match (modified from the original prototype DSM-5 proposal; Skodol, Bender, Morey, et al., 2011; Skodol, Bender, Oldham, et al., 2011), the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-2 (Shedler, 2015), and the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual prototype match (PDM Task Force, 2006). Three hundred twenty-nine clinical psychology graduate students and interns rated patients they currently were treating with each of the aforementioned diagnostic models, as well as completing a checklist of their DSM-IV personality disorder symptoms. Matching a prototype was defined as being a very good match (exemplifying the disorder, a prototypical case) or a good match (has the diagnosis, disorder applies). Frequencies of the prototype assignments are reported. For the SWAP-2 and PDM, depressive and borderline personality disorders were most frequently assigned, whereas avoidant and borderline personality disorder were the most assigned prototypes for the DSM-5 hybrid categories. However, the degree of convergence across methods on similar diagnostic constructs was low. Implications of these findings for personality disorder diagnosis are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).