Examining the MMPI-2-RF Profiles of Diagnosed Autistic Adults

This study examined the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) profiles of Autistic adults compared to a Non-autistic clinical sample . The autistic group had elevated mean scores on 23 of the 51 MMPI-2-RF scales, and 93.8% of profiles exhibited at least one validity scale elevation. Statistically significant and clinically relevant score differences were found on the scales of Ideas of Persecution, Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Disaffiliativeness, and Behavior-Restricting Fears. Additionally, the Autistic group showed clinically relevant scale differences on Hopelessness/Helplessness, Stress/Worry, Social Avoidance, Negative Emotionality/ Neuroticism, and Introversion. The findings align with prior research showing that Autistic individuals often face increased anxiety, depression, and social isolation. The presence of various comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions may explain the elevated validity scales. Overall, we established a pattern of elevated psychopathology and personality trait presentation in autistic adults, which may be considered during diagnostic evaluations and the development of treatment interventions. Nevertheless, the frequent occurrence of validity scale elevations in our ASD sample indicates that it may have limited usefulness for this population.