Case Background
This paper will analyze the results of two tests: WAIS-IV and MMPI-2. These tests were performed on a 35-year-old African American woman with two children. She completed high school and attended two years of college but would like to return to teaching and complete a four-year degree. The patient had previously attempted suicide and is now taking antidepressants. WAIS-IV and MMPI-2 tests were performed to determine the patient’s diagnosis and provide further guidance.
Test and Assessment Development Analysis
WAIS-IV
WAIS-IV is a standardized intelligence test for people aged 16 to 90, designed to assess their general intelligence. Normal scores for this test are between 90 and 109, indicative of average intelligence (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – IV (WAIS-IV), 2023). The scores below indicate problems in intellectual development, and people with such scores may have learning problems. Clinically significant are indicators 70-79, the borderline, and 69 and below, indicating mental retardation.
The test has some cultural concerns that may affect its results for patients. For example, a person’s linguistic and cultural characteristics can make it difficult to understand a question and make it impossible to answer correctly (Duggan et al., 2019). Accordingly, when conducting a test, it is necessary to consider the person’s level of understanding of the questions since this is critical for finding the correct answer. In addition, ethical issues may arise when administering WAIS-IV if revision is necessary. Therefore, this factor must be taken into account when passing this test.
For appropriateness, test results are interpreted in scaled scores format. Because WAIS-IV has multiple subtests, the overall score is usually calculated by adding all scores and dividing them by the total number of subtests (Abdelhamid et al., 2021). However, the results of each subtest are important in assessing a person’s intellectual abilities. All scores are divided into intervals that characterize intelligence from mentally retarded (69 and below) to very superior (130 and above).
MMPI-2
MMPI-2 is a standardized personality test that helps identify various disorders in a patient. The clinical scales of the MMP-2 help determine if a person has Hypochondriasis, Depression, Hysteria, Paranoia, Psychasthenia, Schizophrenia, Hypomania, and other personality characteristics. Normal for all characteristics are indicators at which T = 45-54 (MMPI-2 Training Slides, 2023). Indicators at which T = 65-74 are considered risky and indicate that the patient has an initial stage of personality disorder. High scores are clinically significant as they indicate a severe psychiatric disorder (Kim et al., 2021). The test results are presented in the T-scores format for interpretation and communication, of which special scales have been developed.
When conducting MMPI-2, there are some cultural and ethical considerations to be taken into account. A person’s cultural background can negatively impact how they understand and interpret questions (Giromini et al., 2019). Therefore, it is important to understand the patient’s cultural context and language skills. Moreover, the test results cannot be the only basis for determining the diagnosis. In addition, the administrator who conducts the test should not be prejudiced or biased toward patients. They must inform the person of the nature of the test and its results and obtain informed consent.
Clinical Formulation
The patient underwent two tests to determine the level of intelligence and the presence of personality disorders. As part of WAIS-IV, several subtests were carried out, which showed a result that aligned with the norm. All the scores on FSIQ (102), VCI (105), PRI (107), WMI (92), and PSI (100) are average. Considering the woman would like to continue her studies, the scores obtained may indicate that she will not have major learning problems. According to MMP-2, the woman has signs of severe forms of hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychasthenia, and schizophrenia because her scores are well above the highest score of 74. She may have serious clinical depression, suicidal ideation, somatic concerns, confusion, extreme reaction to stress, disorganized thinking, and hallucinations.
References
Abdelhamid, G. S. M., Bassiouni, M. G. A., & Gómez-Benito, J. (2021). Assessing cognitive abilities using the wais-iv: An item response theory approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(13), 1-15. Web.
Duggan, E. C., Awakon, L. M., Loaiza, C. C., & Garcia-Barrera, M. A. (2019). Contributing towards a cultural neuropsychology assessment decision-making framework: Comparison of WAIS-IV norms from Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Spain, United States, and Canada. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 34(5), 657-681. Web.
Giromini, L., Lettieri, S. C., Zizolfi, S., Zizolfi, D., Viglione, D. J., Brusadelli, E., Perfetti, B., di Carlo, D. A., & Zennaro, A. (2019). Beyond rare-symptoms endorsement: A clinical comparison simulation study using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) with the Inventory of Problems-29 (IOP-29). Psychological Injury and Law, 12, 212-224. Web.
Kim, S., Lee, H. K., & Lee, K. (2021). Detecting suicidal risk using MMPI-2 based on machine learning algorithm. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1-9. Web.
MMPI-2 Training Slides. (2023). University of Minnesota Press. Web.
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – IV (WAIS-IV). (2023). Arizona Forensics Services. Web.