Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

Which clinical scale of the MMPI-2 assesses for Hypochondriasis?

1. Scale 3

2. Scale 5

3. Scale 1

4. Scale 9

The correct answer is: Scale 1

The clinical scale of the MMPI-2 that assesses for Hypochondriasis is Scale 1, also known as the Hypochondriasis scale. This scale is designed to measure an individual’s preoccupation with bodily functions and health concerns, indicating elevated levels of health anxiety and possible somatic complaints. The scale reflects the tendency of individuals to experience and report physical symptoms, even if those symptoms are not linked to a medical condition. It assesses attitudes toward health, the fear of disease, and may indicate how much a person focuses on and reacts to bodily sensations. In contrast, the other scales focus on different psychological traits or concerns. For instance, Scale 3 assesses for Hysteria, which revolves around emotional distress, Scale 5 gauges Masculinity-Femininity traits, and Scale 9 is related to Paranoia rather than health concerns. Thus, Scale 1 is specifically relevant to the concept of Hypochondriasis in the MMPI-2 framework.