| The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2nd Edition (MMPI-2) Clinical Scales, in particular Clinical Scale 4, have long shown success in assessing problems with substance abuse. However, these Clinical Scales possess psychometric weaknesses that limit their effectiveness. Consequently, assessment of substance abuse with the MMPI-2 today chiefly involves use of supplementary scales, such as the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised (MAC-R), the Addiction Potential Scale (APS), and the Addiction Acknowledgement Scale (AAS). A recent relevant development in MMPI-2 research is the publication of Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales, which were designed to measure the core components of the original Clinical Scales more purely. There is reason to believe that their structural improvements have made Restructured Clinical Scale 4 (RC4) a more effective measure of substance abuse.;The present study sought to explore the incremental usefulness of RC4 in assessing substance abuse. In the first phase of the investigation, scores on MMPI-2 substance abuse relevant scales (MAC-R, APS, AAS, ASP, and RC4) were related to groups of participants reporting extreme levels of substance abuse. In phase two of the study, the relationship between the MMPI-2 substance abuse relevant scales and scores on self- and collateral-report versions of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) were examined in a sample exhibiting normal variation in substance use.;Results indicated that of all the substance abuse relevant scales, RC4 related most strongly to substance abuse group membership and provided incremental usefulness beyond that of the MAC-R, APS, AAS, and ASP in predicting group status. In the second phase of the study, RC4 demonstrated the highest correlation with self-report MAST scores and was significantly related to collateral-report MAST scores. RC4 provided incremental usefulness beyond that of the MAC-R, APS, AAS, and ASP in predicting self-report MAST scores, but did not provide significant incremental effectiveness in predicting collateral-report scores. Results of the present study are consistent with emerging research examining the usefulness of the newly developed Restructured Clinical Scales. In particular, results suggest that RC4 is a promising alternative to previous substance abuse relevant scales in assessing alcohol and drug use. |
