The Personality Assessment Inventory – Adolescent (PAI-A) is a self-report measure used to assess psychopathology, interpersonal styles, and treatment related issues in juveniles. The PAI-A, similar to the adult measure (the PAI), is intended to reflect clinical constructs that are important in diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. Is can be administered to youth 12-to-18 years old and has a reading level of 4th grade. The measure includes 264-items that are rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from “not at all true” and “slightly true” to “mainly true” and “very true”. The PAI-A contains 22 non- overlapping scales: 4 validity scales, 11 clinical scales, 5 treatment. The PAI-A manual states:
- Average internal consistency for the substantive scales was .79 and .80 for the community standardization sample and the clinical sample, respectively.
- An average test-retest stability coefficient of .78 was found for the substantive scales (M = 18 days; SD= 5.77).
- The PAI-A was validated against several popular measures of personality and psychopathology, including the MMPI-A, the APS, the NEO-FFI, and the BDI.
Published Research on the PAI-Adolescent
Utility of the Personality Assessment Inventory in adolescents: Discrimination ability with violent versus nonviolent offending incarcerated juveniles.
Hoekstra, William Robert.
Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, Vol 60(8-B), Feb, 2000. pp. 4226.
Abstract:
This paper discusses the prevalence of juvenile delinquency, particularly violent and aggressive crimes and the consequences such behavior has for society. Various self-report measures have been created to assess the presence of violent behavior or violent mentality in delinquent youth. These measures are typically specific to violent or aggressive patterns of thinking, they do not address other areas of psychopathology, and they are tailored to a middle school or higher reading level. This study applies the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), an objective measure of psychopathology with a consistent reading level at the fourth grade, to incarcerated youths for the first time. The study was to determine whether the PAI is able to distinguish between violent and nonviolent juvenile offenders. Results demonstrate that the PAI Aggression scale and subscales could not distinguish between violent and nonviolent youthful offenders. One predicted finding occurred in that both treatment groups scored similarly on the Antisocial Features scale. Potential factors leading to these findings as well as future implications of this work are discussed.
Standardization of the Cross-cultural [Chinese] Personality Assessment Inventory for adolescents in Hong Kong: A combined emic-etic approach to personality assessment.
Cheung, Fanny M., et. al.
Acta Psychologica Sinica, Vol 40(7), Jul, 2008. pp. 839-852.
Abstract:
This study explored two major issues in personality assessment: Cultural universality versus cultural relevance in personality assessment, and the stability and change of personality structure from adolescence to adulthood. Current personality theories and assessment have focused on adults. Growing interests in adolescent mental health and the emerging field of life-span personality development have led to an expansion of approaches in the personality assessment of adolescents. Early experiences in cross-cultural assessment showed that the importation of well-established and comprehensive Western personality inventories for adults and adolescents provided local psychologists with a wealth of research database for their applications. However, the ‘import and test’ approach has been criticized for the imposition of universal (etic) personality dimensions and the inadequate attention paid to indigenous (emic) personality dimensions that would provide a fuller understanding of personality in the local context. In the context of personality assessment in Chinese culture, the emic-etic debate focuses on two questions: 1) Are imposed etic personality dimensions universally applicable? 2) Are there dimensions that are important in the understanding of personality in the local culture that are left out by the Western measures? The Cross-cultural (Chinese) Personality Assessment Inventory (CPAI-2) was developed using a combined emic-etic approach to cover both universal and indigenous personality constructs. This paper reported the standardization study of the Cross-cultural (Chinese) Personality Assessment Inventory Adolescent Version (CPAI-A). The normative sample consisted of 2,646 students (1446 females, 1200 males) from 21 secondary schools and 43 non-student adolescents (13 females, 30 males) from 11 youth centers in Hong Kong. The ages of the total sample ranged from 12 to 18 (M = 15.23, SD = 1.72). The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the CPAI-A scales were examined in the study. The factor structure of the CPAI-A was tested through both EFA and CFA procedures. The results indicated that the CPAI-A was statistically reliable among adolescents in Hong Kong. The factor structure of personality measured by the CPAI-A included four factors for the 25 normal personality scales (Social Potency/Expansiveness, Emotional Stability, Interpersonal Relatedness, and Dependability), and two factors for the 14 clinical scales (Emotional Problem and Behavioral Problem). Through a comparison between the CPAI-2 and CPAI-A, we reported the changes in the scales included in the adolescent version, and investigated the similarities and differences in personality structure between adolescence and adulthood. The results basically supported the stability of personality structure from adolescence to adulthood. However, there were specific personality features which distinguished adolescents from adults. The CPAI-A provides a comprehensive instrument for normal and clinical assessment of adolescents in the Chinese cultural context. The contributions of the combined emic-etic approach adopted in the development of the CPAI-A over traditional methods of personality assessment were demonstrated in the study.
Detecting feigned ADHD in later adolescence: An examination of three PAI-A negative distortion indicators.
Rios, Jessica and Morey, Leslie C.
Journal of Personality Assessment, Vol 95(6), Nov, 2013. pp. 594-599.
Abstract:
The validity of various indicators of response distortion on the Personality Assessment Inventory–Adolescent (PAI–A; Morey, 2007a) and its potential usefulness to detect malingering were evaluated by having 17- and 18-year-old students complete the PAI–A attempting to simulate Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) under coached or noncoached conditions. Scores for these respondents on the Negative Impression and Positive Impression scales, the Malingering Index, and the Rogers Discriminant Function (RDF) were compared to those of 17- and 18-year-old patients receiving clinical diagnoses of ADHD. Simulating respondents also completed the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) to determine if they could successfully simulate self-reported symptoms of ADHD. A total of 45% of simulating participants obtained CAARS scores reflecting clinically significant symptoms of ADHD. All indicators demonstrated the ability to distinguish between actual patients and feigned responses of successful simulators, with the RDF demonstrating the greatest accuracy in distinguishing these groups.
Evaluating the validity indices of the Personality Assessment Inventory–Adolescent Version.
Meyer, Justin K., et. al.
Assessment, Vol 22(4), Aug, 2015. pp. 490-496.
Abstract:
Past research has established strong psychometric properties of several indicators of response distortion on the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). However, to date, it has been unclear whether the response distortion indicators of the adolescent version of the PAI (PAI-A) operate in an equally valid manner. The current study sought to examine several response distortion indicators on the PAI-A to determine their relative efficacy at the detection of distorted responding, including both positive distortion and negative distortion. Protocols of 98 college students asked to either overreport or underreport were compared with 98 age-matched individuals sampled from the clinical standardization sample and the community standardization sample, respectively. Comparisons between groups were accomplished through the examination of effect sizes and receiver operating characteristic curves. All indicators demonstrated the ability to distinguish between actual and feigned responding, including several newly developed indicators. This study provides support for the ability of distortion indicators developed for the PAI to also function appropriately on the PAI-A.
Comparison of clinical scales: Youth COMPAS, PAI-A, and MACI.
Lewis, Athena M.
Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, Vol 78(4-B)(E), 2017.
Abstract:
Differentiating adolescent psychopathology from maladaptive adolescent criminal behavior is an ongoing challenge for mental health and juvenile justice professionals. This task may be particularly difficult for juvenile justice professionals, such as law enforcement and probation officers, working outside the field of behavioral health. The degree to which adolescent mental illness has increased across correctional facilities is unclear. Undiagnosed and untreated adolescent offenders suffering from symptoms of mental illness have a significantly higher rate of recidivism (McReynolds, Schwalbe, & Wasserman, 2010). While there is no consensus in regard to specific method of service delivery, the importance of early identification and intervention is indisputable. Several assessments and screening tools are available for identifying psychopathology among adolescent forensic populations; however, access may be restricted by factors including limited financial resources, lack of qualified mental health professionals, and offender disposition. This dissertation evaluated the efficacy of the Northpointe Youth-Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMAPS) risk and needs assessment’s ability to identify adolescent personality traits in pre-adjudicated adolescents. Correlations were identified among completed Youth-COMPAS, Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI), and Personality Assessment Inventory-Adolescent (PAI-A) assessments of pre-adjudicated adolescents participating in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Vital Interventions and Directional Alternatives (VIDA) program. The findings among correlations within this study appear to be valuable in predicting criminal behavior in adolescents not yet convicted of a crime.
Detecting feigning in adolescents on the Personality Assessment Inventory — Adolescent form.
Malm, Steven P.
Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol 78(1-A)(E), 2017.
Abstract:
Problem: Psychological evaluations are susceptible to clients feigning the existence of psychopathological symptoms. Much of the research on identifying feigning in psychological assessment has focused on adults despite the idea that adolescents are also capable of deception. The purpose of the present study is to expand the limited literature base on detecting feigning in adolescents when administered the Personality Assessment Inventory — Adolescent (PAI-A). Participants: The current study included 114 nonclinical adolescents (ages 15 to 18) recruited from high schools in central Illinois and Indiana as well as 50 randomly-selected individuals with a depression diagnosis from the clinical standardization set of the PAI-A. Sample demographics included a mean age of 16.64 years; 51.2% young men, 48.2% young women; 85.4% Caucasian, 6.7% African American, 5.5% Hispanic, and 2.4% Asian. Design: Participants were randomly assigned to experimental groups: honest nonclinical, uncoached feigning, and coached feigning. The clinical individuals made up the honest clinical group. Participants completed the PAI-A under their respective experimental condition. Results: 87% of feigning profiles were able to show clinical levels of depression on the PAI-A. MANOVA and multinomial regression showed strong support for the Rogers Discriminant Function (RDF; d range = 1.85 – 2.05). The Negative Impression Management (NIM) scale also showed some promise (d range = 0.77 — 1.08) but was less useful than the RDF. Finally, little support was found for the MAL (d range = 0.58 — 0.70). Conclusion: The negative distortion indices, particularly the RDF and NIM, showed good utility in differentiating between groups. Cut-scores and implications for practice — such as the need to calculate the RDF when feigning is a risk and how to proceed once feigning is discovered – are discussed.
Profile analysis of the Personality Assessment Inventory: Adolescent (PAIA) for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Hooks, Elizabeth Niechciol.
Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol 79(2-A)(E), 2018.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to determine if individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) display a unique pattern of responses on the Personality Assessment Inventory — Adolescent (PAI-A). Specifically, a profile analysis was conducted to determine if the pattern could be used to identify and diagnose adolescents with ASD. 20 Adolescents between ages 12 and 18 completed the PAI-A and their scores were compared to a matched community and clinical sample from the standardization sample of the PAI-A. Results indicated the ASD sample was significantly higher than the community sample on the anxiety-related disorders, depression, and schizophrenia scales. The ASD group was significantly lower than the clinical group on the anti-social scales. The results of the present study supported previous research and identified the potential of a personality profile for adolescents with ASD on the PAI-A. Future research should expand the profile analysis to include validity scales, treatment scales, and subscales, as well as identify any potential differences in gender.
Assessment of borderline features in inpatient adolescents: Relationships between MMPI-A Dimensional PSY-5 Traits and MACI and PAI-A Borderline scales.
Sapoff, Mallory
Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, Vol 79(4-B)(E), 2018.
Abstract:
This study explored self-report assessment strategies for borderline pathology with inpatient adolescents utilizing a dimensional personality trait perspective. Relationships between the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI) Borderline Tendency Personality Pattern scales, Personality Assessment Inventory-Adolescent (PAI–A) Borderline Features scales, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–Adolescent (MMPI–A) Psychopathology Five (PSY-5) facet scales were examined. Results indicated a strong relationship between all of the Borderline Scales across the MACI and PAI–A. The congruence between the MACI Borderline Tendency Personality Pattern scale and PAI–A Borderline Features scale was examined to determine the degree to which the two measures identified the same adolescents as having borderline pathology. Results demonstrated a fair level of agreement between the two instruments with respect to the identification of borderline pathology at a clinically significant level. Relationships between the MMPI–A PSY-5 facet scales and adolescent borderline pathology were examined to determine if certain personality traits are predictive of borderline pathology as measured by the MACI and PAI–A Borderline Scales. The nine PSY-5 facet scales were the predictor variables and the MACI and PAI–A Borderline scales were the criterion variables. A general pattern was observed wherein certain trait facets (Hostility, Delinquent Behaviors and Attitudes, Low Drive, and Neuroticism/Negative Emotionality) emerged as unique predictors of borderline pathology across measures.
Evaluation of the PAI–A Anxiety and Depression scales: Evidence of construct validity.
Vanwoerden, Salome, et.al.
Journal of Personality Assessment, Vol 100(3), May-Jun, 2018. pp. 313-320.
Abstract:
Against the background of a dearth of studies examining the properties of the scale scores of the Personality Assessment Inventory–Adolescent (PAI–A; Morey, 2007), this study was conducted to evaluate evidence of construct validity for the Anxiety (ANX) and Depression (DEP) scales of the PAI–A. Convergent and discriminant validity of the ANX and DEP scale scores were investigated using a sample of adolescents admitted to the adolescent program of a private tertiary care inpatient treatment facility. Multiple methods assessing anxious and depressive symptomology and diagnoses were included. Construct validity of the ANX and DEP scales was mostly supported. Advantages of using the PAI–A for the assessment of anxiety and depression were discussed.
The psychometric properties of the Personality Assessment Inventory–Adolescent’s Borderline Features Scale across two high-risk samples.
Venta, Amanda, et.al.
Psychological Assessment, Vol 30(6), Jun, 2018. pp. 827-833.
Abstract (English):
The present study sought to assess the performance of the Borderline Features (BOR) Scale of the adolescent version of the Personality Assessment Inventory (Morey, 2007b) in 2 high-risk samples: inpatient and justice-involved adolescents. This study is the first to evaluate the BOR scale in high-risk adolescent samples, outside the initial standardization studies. Across both samples (NClinical = 327, NForensic = 151), results indicated good internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated poor fit of the 4-factor structure proposed by the measure’s authors. Convergent validity and receiver-operating characteristics analyses, conducted in the clinical sample, indicated that the adolescent version of the Personality Assessment Inventory BOR scale had good diagnostic accuracy for predicting a borderline personality disorder diagnosis (via structured interview). Findings suggest that the BOR scale has adequate internal consistency, convergent validity, and clinical utility, although areas for future measure evaluation (including factor structure) remain. Still, the BOR scale may partially address the current hesitation to assess borderline personality disorder features in high-risk youth because it is embedded within a broadband psychopathology measure.
Detecting feigning in adolescents on the personality assessment inventory—adolescent form.
Malm, Steven P., et.al.
Journal of Personality Assessment, Dec 20, 2019.
Abstract:
Much of the research on identifying feigning in psychological assessment has focused on adults with less attention to adolescents. The purpose of the present study is to expand the limited literature on detecting feigning in adolescents using the Personality Assessment Inventory – Adolescent. The study included 114 nonclinical adolescents (ages 15 to 18) recruited from high schools in the Midwest who were randomly assigned to experimental groups: honest nonclinical, uncoached feigning, and coached feigning. 50 randomly selected individuals with depression from the PAI-A clinical standardization sample were included as the honest clinical group. Sample demographics included a mean age of 16.64 years; 51.2% young men, 48.2% young women; 85.4% Caucasian, 6.7% African American, 5.5% Hispanic, and 2.4% Asian. 80% of feigning profiles reported clinical levels of depression. MANOVA results showed strong support for the Rogers Discriminant Function (RDF; d range = 1.85–2.05). The Negative Impression Management (NIM) scale also demonstrated promise (d range = 0.77–1.08), while the smallest effects for detecting feigning were found for the Malingering Index (d range = 0.58–0.70). The negative distortion indices showed good utility in differentiating between groups. Cut-scores and pragmatic implications are presented.
Optimal pai-a cutoffs to determine risk for non-suicidal self-injury (nssi) and suicide-related behavior (srb) among at-risk adolescents.
Floyd, Paula N., et.al.
Archives of Suicide Research, Aug 4, 2020.
Abstract:
Objective This study examines psychopathology and personality correlates of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide-related behavior (SRB) in an understudied sample of adolescents who have exhibited behaviors (e.g., delinquent acts, premature high school termination) that place them at-risk for poor psychosocial outcomes. Method Participants included a predominantly White male sample of 182 adolescents (Mage = 16.82 years). In addition to information about NSSI and SRB histories, participants self-reported various facets of personality and psychopathology on the Personality Assessment Inventory-Adolescent (PAI-A). Results Logistic regression analyses indicated that the Suicidal Ideation (SUI) scale on the PAI-A was the strongest predictor of both NSSI and SRB history, as it outperformed other relevant PAI-A scales and the Suicide Potential Index (SPI), an aggregate scale that was designed to assess for suicide risk using the PAI for adults. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were also conducted to determine optimal cutoff scores for significant PAI-A predictors. Conclusions Findings from the current study can be used to identify NSSI and SRB risk and target these life-threatening behaviors when working with at-risk adolescents. Highlights PAI-A SUI outperformed other PAI-A variables in predicting NSSI and SRB risk. PAI SPI did not perform as well in adolescents compared to adult samples. Cutoff scores in the current sample were well below those in the PAI-A manual.
Profile analysis of the personality assessment inventory‐adolescent (pai‐a) for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Hooks, Elizabeth, et.al.
Psychology in the Schools, Nov 20, 2020.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to determine if individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display a unique pattern of responses on the Personality Assessment Inventory‐Adolescent (PAI‐A). Twenty adolescents between ages 12 and 18 completed the PAI‐A, and their scores were compared to matched community and clinical samples from the standardization sample of the PAI‐A. Results of a profile analysis indicated the ASD group displayed unique scale elevations, which may help clarify the interpretive quality of the PAI‐A with individuals with autism. Clinicians and school psychologists should be aware of this research when selecting tools to evaluate adolescents with ASD.