NCJ Number
118496
Date Published
1988
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Six instruments often used to measure the emotional, interpersonal, motivational, and attitudinal characteristics of an adolescent are critically reviewed.
Abstract
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is the most widely used and researched objective personality instruments in psychology. It was designed for use with adults and thus requires care in administration and interpretation with adolescents. The Millon Adolescent Personality Inventory was developed by Millon, Green, and Meagher to address the specific considerations involved in assessing adolescents with a paper-and-pencil inventory. Scoring and interpretation is handled by computer. The Adolescent Multiphasic Personality represents an effort by Bruce Duthie, a leading researcher of the MMPI, to develop a shorter, simpler instrument with a lower reading level and fewer scoring procedures than the MMPI. Scoring is easily handled through the use of two scoring scales. The Jesness Inventory was constructed to aid in the personality assessment of emotionally disturbed children and adolescents, especially those with delinquent backgrounds. Clinical judgment is required to interpret much of the profile. The Personality Inventory for Children is designed to measure behavior, affect, ability, and family functioning in children and youths aged 6 to 16. It has been effective as a preliminary screening device to confirm initial impressions. The Child Behavior Checklist assesses a youth's social competencies and behavioral difficulties. Like other behavior rating forms, it is subject to problems relating to responder bias and may also underestimate behavioral characteristics of inpatient populations.