Convergent Validity of the Personality Assessment Inventory: A Study of Emergency Referrals in a Correctional Setting

Abstract

The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) is a new generation multiscale inventory that is widely used in clinical settings. The current study examined its convergent validity with emergency referrals in a metropolitan correctional facility. A sample of 80 referrals completed two phases of an assessment study. As a measure of convergent validity, results on select PAI scales were compared to the Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS), the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS), and the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS). Overall, results indicated moderate to good convergent validity for the following: (a) screening for feigned profiles, (b) establishing clinical correlates of common disorders, and (c) evaluating the potential for suicidal ideation.

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