ERIC Number: EJ897254
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Sep
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-3590
EISSN: N/A
Psychometric Properties of the MMPI-2-RF Somatic Complaints (RC1) Scale
Thomas, Michael L.; Locke, Dona E. C.
Psychological Assessment, v22 n3 p492-503 Sep 2010
The MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF; Tellegen & Ben-Porath, 2008) was designed to be psychometrically superior to its MMPI-2 counterpart. However, the test has yet to be extensively evaluated in diverse clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the MMPI-2-RF Somatic Complaints (RC1) scale in a clinically relevant population. Participants were 399 patients diagnosed with either epilepsy or psychogenic nonepileptic seizures on the basis of video-electroencephalograph monitoring. The internal structure of the MMPI-2-RF was evaluated using taxometric, confirmatory factor analysis, and item response theory procedures. Data from 4 content-specific scales directly related to RC1 (Malaise, Gastrointestinal Complaints, Head Pain Complaints, and Neurological Complaints) indicated that the latent construct of somatization is a dimensional variable with a bifactor structure. However, consistent with the scale's construction, a unidimensional model also provided adequate fit. A 2-parameter logistic item response theory model better accounted for observed item responses than did 1- or 3-parameter models. Results suggest that the RC1 scale is most precise for T score estimates between 55 and 90. Overall, the scale appears to be well suited for the assessment of somatization. (Contains 6 figures and 4 tables.)
Descriptors: Seizures, Patients, Measures (Individuals), Factor Analysis, Psychometrics, Item Response Theory, Epilepsy, Video Technology, Diagnostic Tests, Brain, Goodness of Fit, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Personality Measures
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A