Further validation of the MMPI-3 personality disorder syndrome scales in a community mental health sample.

The purpose of the present study was to replicate and extend research on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) Personality Disorder (PD) Syndrome scales. A total of 289 participants were recruited from the community in Dunedin, New Zealand-all of whom were engaged in mental health treatment. We evaluated the validity of the PD Syndrome scales against various measures of traditional PDs, personality traits, and personality dysfunction using self-report, clinical-rating, and informant-report criteria. The findings provide support for the criterion validity of the MMPI-3 PD scales, as most scales demonstrated strong and meaningful correlations with their corresponding latent PD factors, with the exception of the Schizotypal PD scale. Convergent validity was also supported, with most scales positively correlating with personality impairment and aligning with expected maladaptive personality trait domains. Discriminant validity was generally supported; however, several scales also showed notable correlations with nontarget PD factors and nonhypothesized trait domains, some of which were larger than the correlations with their intended target constructs. Overall, the MMPI-3 PD Syndrome scales can assist clinicians with generating diagnostic hypotheses about traditional PDs, which will ultimately enhance clinical understanding and outcomes for patients during the transition to dimensional frameworks. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).