This is because the complex scale requires specific training to accurately interpret the results - and misinterpreting the results can have harmful consequences, leading to unnecessary distress. Interpreting the MMPI is a complex process that is closely protected and monitored. They can also measure aspects of mental or social functioning that don’t necessarily indicate a disorder.Įach test version also contains varying content scales, clinical subscales, and supplementary scales.
This helps researchers determine the baseline “normal,” or typical, result.Ī scale is a group of questions that measure a person’s tendency toward a certain mental health condition. These versions of the test are based on different norms and clinical scales.Ī norm is a statistic or set of statistics (such as average, standard deviations, and score ranges) that researchers compare an individual’s score against. It contains 335 items and takes 25 to 50 minutes to complete. It contains 241 items and takes 25 to 45 minutes to complete. This short form of the test for adolescents was released in 2016. The MMPI-A contains 478 items and takes about 60 minutes to complete. This is a version of the test released in 1992 for adolescents from 14 to 18 years old. The MMPI-2-R Ftakes about half the time as the MMPI-2 to complete, about 40 to 50 minutes. It’s intended for adults and contains 338 true/false items. This version, published in 2008, is a shorter version of the MMPI-2. It’s been revised to reflect more culturally diverse values than the original 1942 version. It contains 567 true/false questions and takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete. This is the standard adult version of the assessment. There are a variety of versions of the MMPI in general use today: Only professionals who can provide the required credentials can buy the test from Pearson Assessments. You won’t find the test items online, except for a few examples. This means the test and its materials are not freely available to the public.
The MMPI is a protected psychological test. The University of Minnesota Press licenses the test to Pearson Assessments and other companies for sales and distribution. McKinley in 1942 and currently owns the copyright. The University of Minnesota first published the test by Starke R.