ASWB LCSW Social Work Clinical Practice Exam

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory is primarily used to assess what aspect of a patient?

1. Substance abuse

2. Personality disorders

3. Physical health

4. Geriatric mental health

The correct answer is: Personality disorders

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is predominantly utilized to evaluate various personality traits and psychopathology, making it particularly effective in assessing personality disorders. This psychological assessment tool is structured to measure a wide range of psychological conditions and personality traits, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, paranoia, and social introversion, which can indicate the presence and severity of personality disorders. Its comprehensive nature allows clinicians to discern patterns in an individual's emotional and psychological state. The MMPI uses a series of true-false questions to create a profile of the person being evaluated, which can provide insights into their mental health and aid in formulating appropriate treatment approaches. While it may offer some insights relevant to other areas like substance abuse or issues in geriatric mental health, its primary design is grounded in the assessment of personality functions and disorders.