Personality assessment of ministerial candidates: A profile of ministerial candidacy applicants in the United Methodist Church and lie scale item analysis.

摘要

The present study explores the assessment profile patterns of ministerial candidacy applicants (MCAs) to the United Methodist Church (UMC), including responses to validity scales. MMPI-2 data collected by the UMC were analyzed to highlight any group differences between the MCA sample and the general population that emerged in psychological functioning based upon the MMPI-2 Clinical and RC scales. MCAs tended to present themselves in a favorable light and reported fewer symptoms related to hypochondriasis, depression, cynicism, antisocial behavior, stress and anxiety, schizophrenia, and social introversion. The RC scale results tended to parallel those of the Clinical scales with few exceptions. Additionally, item analysis of the MMPI-2 L, K, and S scales suggested that MCAs did not endorse items related to dishonesty, inability to control anger or irritability, inability to communicate appropriately, greediness, and sexual immorality. Local parameters for the MMPI-2 Validity and Clinical scales, eight primary RC scales, and 16PF scales are provided for this MCA grouping.