Latent profile analysis of the MMPI-2-RF in ADHD evaluations.
Appl Neuropsychol Adult 2026 Aug 06; :1-14. [Online ahead of print]

Abstract

Assessment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among adults is complicated by high psychiatric comorbidity and symptom overlap, increasing the risk of potential diagnostic misclassification. This study used a Three-Step Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify distinct Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), Restructured Clinical (RC) scale profiles in a mixed clinical sample seeking ADHD evaluation (n = 546). Three latent profiles emerged: a low-symptom profile, a somatic-depressed-threat sensitive profile, and a primarily demoralized profile. Profiles were not associated with ADHD diagnosis alone or most ADHD comorbidities. However, the profiles differed significantly in the probability of depression diagnoses, anxiety diagnoses, and combined ADHD/depression/anxiety diagnoses. Findings suggest MMPI-2-RF RC scale profiles are informative for identifying internalizing psychopathology and diagnostic complexity but lack specificity for ADHD. Results underscore the utility of MMPI-2-RF, RC scale-based latent profiles in disentangling diagnostic heterogeneity and the importance of multimethod assessment in adult ADHD evaluations.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Cherry J0000-0002-4804-3021Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois, USA. Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Cerny BMDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Miller SADepartment of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Phillips MS0009-0001-8219-6195Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Caumiant EPDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Dai EDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Patel KDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Palladino NTDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Winbush Fairley KDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Sedgwick TADepartment of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Watson MEDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Soble JR0000-0003-3348-8762Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

42561125