Overview
Read the following case study. The case study will not provide all the information needed. You may add information as you see fit in order to adequately write your report. The point of this exercise is to expose you to the MMPI-2 and interpreting the results and practicing writing the psychological report.
Case Study:
Doug’s mom and dad, Shane and Shannon Smith, are puzzled by Doug’s change in appearance and his personality. He showered infrequently, rarely brushed his teeth, and wore ill-fitting clothing. He stopped hanging out with his friends and was spending more time in his room. When he does converse with others, he doesn’t maintain eye contact, his thoughts seem disorganized, and sometimes he is verbally aggressive. The parents report that Doug seems to have poor concentration and unrealistic fears.
Medical reports come back normal, and Doug denies the use of drugs or alcohol. To be sure of his statement, the parents had him tested, and the drug test came back negative. He has not had any recent surgeries and he currently is not taking any medications. No history of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts. Client has no history of mental illness. About six months ago, he went to counseling. After two sessions, he told his parents counseling was not helpful and kind of scary, and he wasn't going back.
Shane and Shannon are so confused. Their once active, social, well-mannered son is now unrecognizable. He is withdrawn and talks to himself as if he has an imaginary friend. They will do whatever is necessary to help their son.
Family Background and Demographics:
Doug is 20 years old and has two younger siblings, Julie age 17 and Matt age 13
Doug's parents have been married for 24 years, both have college degrees and both work. They are considered middle to upper middle class and live in a one story home.
Julie is a junior in high school, honors student, and plays volleyball. Her career goal is to be an athletic director. She is looking at various colleges and will visit some in the next couple of months. Julie stated that she and Doug used to be close. He would play volleyball with her and give her tips. She is hurt and confused by his change in behavior and appearance. She described Doug’s attitude and behavior as “bizarre.”
Matt is in junior high and his grades are Bs and Cs. He likes school but would rather play video games with his friends. Matt described Doug as odd but that he and Doug still have some fun playing video games.
The family attends a local church. The dad teaches a Sunday School class, and the mom volunteers in the youth department. Julie and Matt actively participate in the youth group.
Doug started working at 13 mowing lawns in the neighborhood, and never received any complaints. At 16, he was considered a star athlete at his high school. His grades were typically As and Bs with an occasional C. His academic history is good with no behavioral issues until his senior year. During his senior year, Doug’s personality began to change. His grades declined and his appearance was unkempt, which was not like him. His parents rationalized it as “senioritis.” He stopped hanging out with his friends and kept to himself. His friends are puzzled by the shift in appearance and personality. Doug graduated high school at age 18, but did not go to college, which disappointed his parents.
His parents told him he had to work if he was not going to college. He got a job at a local fast food restaurant right after graduation, but was fired six months later. He’s had various jobs since then but cannot seem to find his purpose. The once self-confident, highly capable athlete now seems to be floundering.
Below are the scores from the MMPI-2. Some of the results are provided for you. For the ones that are not, you will need to utilize Nichols' textbook, the MMPI-2 handout or other sources.L= 45 (low range): indicates person responded frankly to the items; self-confident enough to be able to admit to minor faults and shortcomings.
F= 60 (mild elevation): reflects level of distress and disturbance common in outpatient and inpatient psychiatric populations
K=35 (low range): low scorers tend to be very critical of themselves and others; may be ineffective in dealing with problems in their daily lives, and tend to have little insight into their own motives and behavior. Tend to be rather awkward socially and to be blunt and harsh in social interactions. Their outlook on life tends to be cynical, skeptical, and they tend to be suspicious about the motivations of other people.
Scale 1=81: extremely high score indicates the person is self-centered; outlook towards life tends to be pessimistic and cynical; lack ease in oral expression; complainers; dramatic and sometimes somatic concerns may be present. May be resistant to therapy
Scale 2= 36
Scale 3=44
Scale 4=40
Scale 5=48 (low range): may indicate narrow range of interests, inflexible approach to problems, aggressive, and crude
Scale 6= 63 (moderately high range): may indicate paranoid orientation; may describe sadness, withdrawal, and anxiety; tend to be suspicious and guarded
Scale 7=69 (moderately high range): may indicate insecurity, anxiousness; may also indicate a weakening of one’s mental control over thoughts
Scale 8= 87
Scale 9= 41
Scale 0= 70
Students will write a psychological report utilizing Neukrug's text, including Appendix D.
The report will include the following headings:
Family Background
Significant Medical/Counseling History
Educational and Vocational History
Other Pertinent Information
Assessment Results (in this section, you will include each score of the MMPI-2 and its interpretation). Consider how the results relate (or not) to the client.
Provisional Diagnosis
Recommendations (include at least three recommendations relevant to the client).
The report will use third person, include a title page, and follow APA style and format (one-inch margins, Times New Roman, 12 font, no contractions). The case study will not provide all the information needed. You will need to add information as you see fit to adequately write your report.