Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

Which disorder is primarily assessed using the MMPI-A in adolescents?

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder

2. Schizophrenia

3. Personality and Emotional Disorders

4. Dissociative Disorders

The correct answer is: Personality and Emotional Disorders

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (MMPI-A) is specifically designed to assess personality and emotional functioning in adolescents. This self-report inventory focuses on a wide range of psychological conditions, making it particularly useful for identifying personality traits, emotional difficulties, and potential psychopathologies in younger populations. The MMPI-A evaluates several domains, such as depression, anxiety, and social introversion, which are pertinent when assessing for personality and emotional disorders. This broad focus allows clinicians to identify issues that may not necessarily present as distinct disorders but could impact an adolescent's overall mental health and social functioning. Other disorders listed, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, schizophrenia, and dissociative disorders, typically require different assessment tools that are more specialized or tailored for those specific conditions. For instance, Autism Spectrum Disorder often necessitates observational assessments and specific developmental history rather than personality inventories like the MMPI-A. Similarly, schizophrenia is often diagnosed through clinical interviews and specific symptom checklists, while dissociative disorders are typically assessed using structured interviews designed specifically for those conditions. Therefore, the MMPI-A's targeted nature in evaluating personality and emotional disorders makes it the most appropriate choice for this question.