INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 10 Program Schedule 02/17/2024 09:00 am - 10:15 am Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60) Poster Session 10: Neurodevelopmental \| Congenital Conditions Final Abstract #18 MMPI-2-RF Patterns in Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum Nathan LeFebre, Fuller Grad School of Psychology, Pasadena, United States Jason Kaplan, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States Sarag Kendrick, Fuller Grad School of Psychology, Pasadena, United States Warren Brown, Fuller Grad School of Psychology, Pasadena, United States Lynn Paul, california Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States Category: Behavioral Neurology/Cerebral Lateralization/Callosal Studies Keyword 1: corpus callosum Keyword 2: congenital disorders Keyword 3: personality Objective: Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (AgCC) is the congenital absence of all or part of the corpus callosum. Isolated AgCC results in a pattern of (1) reduced interhemispheric transfer of sensorimotor information, (2) slowed cognitive processing speed, and (3) impairments in complex, novel problem solving, even when FSIQ is in the normal range (FSIQ > 80; Brown & Paul, 2019). Relatively little research has been done to examine the psychological functioning of individuals with AgCC. Kaplan and colleagues (2012) presented MMPI-2-RF data in AgCC, observing significant AgCC group elevations on the L-r (Uncommon Virtues) and COG (Cognitive Complaints) scales. However, these findings were limited by sample size and, at that time, there was a scarcity of relevant literature upon which to interpret results (particularly L-r). Additional literature on psychological functioning in AgCC has since allowed for more meaningful interpretation of MMPI-2-RF profiles in AgCC. A recent study by Paul and colleagues (2021) observed increased rates of alexithymia and somatization in persons with AgCC, suggesting limited awareness of psychological states and emotions. The present study reexamined MMPI-2-RF patterns in a larger sample of persons with AgCC. It was predicted that individuals with AgCC would demonstrate elevations (vs. normative sample) on scales indicative of poor self-understanding and somatic/cognitive complaints as a result of tendencies toward alexithymia and somatization. Participants and Methods: Twenty adults with isolated AgCC and FSIQ > 80 completed the MMPI-2-RF and WAIS-III. AgCC group MMPI-2-RF Tscores were compared with the normative sample using one-way ANOVAs with Bonferroni adjustments. In addition, for each scale Fisher’s Exact Tests were performed to compare the number of clinically significant elevations against a normal distribution. Results: Individuals with AgCC produced significant elevations on the Uncommon Virtues scale, indicating either intentional underreporting or reduced self-awareness (L-r; F(1, 18) = 20.80, p < .001, d = 1.05). The number of clinically significant elevations (T > 65) on this scale was greater than expected for a normal distribution [X² (1, N = 19) = 8.69, p < 0.01]. Significant elevations on somatic/cognitive complaints [COG; F(1, 18) = 19.72, p < .01, d = 1.02] were also observed, although here the number of clinically significant elevations was within the expected distribution. For neurological complaints (NUC), the number of clinically significant elevations was greater than expected [X² (1, N =19) = 5.70, p < 0.05], though group means did not differ significantly. No significant differences were observed for the remaining scales of the MMPI-2-RF. Conclusions: Consistent with Kaplan et al. (2012), persons with AgCC were found to have significant elevations on scales indicative of poor self-awareness and somatic/cognitive complaints. However, frequent clinical elevations for neurological complaints was an important new finding. These findings are consistent with recent literature demonstrating alexithymia and somatic complaints in AgCC (Paul et al., 2021). Given this increased alexithymia and somatization, it is most likely that elevated validity indicators (L-r) are due to poor self-awareness, difficulty identifying/describing emotions, and deficits in complex/novel problem solving (Brown & Paul, 2019) rather than intentional underreporting.

Poster

02/17/2024
09:00 am - 10:15 am
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)

Poster Session 10: Neurodevelopmental | Congenital Conditions

Final Abstract #18

MMPI-2-RF Patterns in Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum

Nathan LeFebre, Fuller Grad School of Psychology, Pasadena, United States
Jason Kaplan, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States
Sarag Kendrick, Fuller Grad School of Psychology, Pasadena, United States
Warren Brown, Fuller Grad School of Psychology, Pasadena, United States
Lynn Paul, california Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States

Category: Behavioral Neurology/Cerebral Lateralization/Callosal Studies

Keyword 1: corpus callosum
Keyword 2: congenital disorders
Keyword 3: personality

Objective:

Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (AgCC) is the congenital absence of all or part of the corpus callosum. Isolated AgCC results in a pattern of (1) reduced interhemispheric transfer of sensorimotor information, (2) slowed cognitive processing speed, and (3) impairments in complex, novel problem solving, even when FSIQ is in the normal range (FSIQ > 80; Brown & Paul, 2019). Relatively little research has been done to examine the psychological functioning of individuals with AgCC. Kaplan and colleagues (2012) presented MMPI-2-RF data in AgCC, observing significant AgCC group elevations on the L-r (Uncommon Virtues) and COG (Cognitive Complaints) scales. However, these findings were limited by sample size and, at that time, there was a scarcity of relevant literature upon which to interpret results (particularly L-r). Additional literature on psychological functioning in AgCC has since allowed for more meaningful interpretation of MMPI-2-RF profiles in AgCC. A recent study by Paul and colleagues (2021) observed increased rates of alexithymia and somatization in persons with AgCC, suggesting limited awareness of psychological states and emotions. The present study reexamined MMPI-2-RF patterns in a larger sample of persons with AgCC. It was predicted that individuals with AgCC would demonstrate elevations (vs. normative sample) on scales indicative of poor self-understanding and somatic/cognitive complaints as a result of tendencies toward alexithymia and somatization.

Participants and Methods:

Twenty adults with isolated AgCC and FSIQ > 80 completed the MMPI-2-RF and WAIS-III. AgCC group MMPI-2-RF Tscores were compared with the normative sample using one-way ANOVAs with Bonferroni adjustments. In addition, for each scale Fisher’s Exact Tests were performed to compare the number of clinically significant elevations against a normal distribution.

Results:

Individuals with AgCC produced significant elevations on the Uncommon Virtues scale, indicating either intentional underreporting or reduced self-awareness (L-r; F(1, 18) = 20.80, p < .001, d = 1.05). The number of clinically significant elevations (T > 65) on this scale was greater than expected for a normal distribution [X² (1, N = 19) = 8.69, p < 0.01]. Significant elevations on somatic/cognitive complaints [COG; F(1, 18) = 19.72, p < .01, d = 1.02] were also observed, although here the number of clinically significant elevations was within the expected distribution. For neurological complaints (NUC), the number of clinically significant elevations was greater than expected [X² (1, N =19) = 5.70, p < 0.05], though group means did not differ significantly. No significant differences were observed for the remaining scales of the MMPI-2-RF.

Conclusions:

Consistent with Kaplan et al. (2012), persons with AgCC were found to have significant elevations on scales indicative of poor self-awareness and somatic/cognitive complaints. However, frequent clinical elevations for neurological complaints was an important new finding. These findings are consistent with recent literature demonstrating alexithymia and somatic complaints in AgCC (Paul et al., 2021). Given this increased alexithymia and somatization, it is most likely that elevated validity indicators (L-r) are due to poor self-awareness, difficulty identifying/describing emotions, and deficits in complex/novel problem solving (Brown & Paul, 2019) rather than intentional underreporting.