B - 79 Examining the MMPI-2-RF Profiles of Diagnosed Autistic Adults

Abstract Objective The current study examined the psychopathology and personality trait presentation in Autistic adults utilizing the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form. We sought to identify patterns in the overall MMPI-2-RF score profiles of adults with autism spectrum disorder as well as to explore group differences between an ASD sample and a non-ASD group. Method Archival data was collected from a private clinic specializing in differential diagnosis in the Midwestern United States. 26 participants in the ASD group (57.7% male; 18–60 years old; 65.4% Caucasian) and 26 participants in the non-ASD group (53.9% male; 19–62 years old; 76.9% Caucasian) were matched using a one-to-one propensity score match with verbal composite score, age, and sex as the variables. The non-ASD group included clients administered the MMPI-2-RF and diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and/or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Results Results showed statistically significant group differences on three validity scales as well as the scales of Ideas of Persecution, Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Aberrant Experiences, Behavior-Restricting Fears, Juvenile Conduct Problems, Disaffiliativeness, Psychoticism-Revised, and Thought Dysfunction. Conclusion Several statistically significant and clinically relevant group differences were identified such as on scales of Aberrant Experiences and Disaffiliativeness which may be explained by social alienation & maladjustment experienced by autistic adults. Furthermore, differences on validity scales assessing infrequent responses and Uncommon Virtues may reflect rigid thinking. Findings also align with past research showing higher levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidality experienced by Autistic individuals. Overall, we established a pattern of elevated psychopathology and personality trait presentation in autistic adults which may be used to guide treatment interventions.