PAI Scales

Question 1

ICN: Inconsistency

Answer 1

Reflects consistency with which the respondent completed items with similar content; below 64t (low) consistent responding; 64t-73t (moderate) some inconsistency; at or above 73t (High) did not attend consistently

Question 2

INF: Infrequency

Answer 2

Completion of PAI in an atypical way, random responding (items should be answered similarly by everyone); below 60t (low) attended appropriately to item content; 60t-75t (Moderate) some unusual responses to INF items; at or above 75t (High) respondent did not attend appropriately to item content

Question 3

NIM: Negative Impression

Answer 3

Presenting as more pathological and/or more negative; below 73t (Low) little distortion; between 73t-84t (Moderate) element of exaggeration of complaints and problems; at or above 92t attempted to portray themselves in an especially negative manner

Question 4

Malingering Index

Answer 4

simulation of a mental disorder; scores at or above 3 raise questions of overt efforts to malinger more severe mental disorder; scores at or above 5 are highly unusual and tend only to occur when faking a severe mental disorder

Question 5

Rogers Discriminant Function

Answer 5

used to distinguish between real, true patients from those attempting to simulate those patients; scores greater than 0 suggest overt efforts to fake a mental disorder

Question 6

PIM: Positive Impression

Answer 6

Presentation of a very favorable impression or the denial of relatively minor faults; below 44t strongly indicative of honest responding; between 57t-68t (Moderate) presented in a manner to portray themselves as relatively free of common shortcomings to which most individuals admit; at or above 68t attempting to present themselves as exceptionally free of common shortcomings most admit to

Question 7

Defensiveness Index

Answer 7

defensive responding; at or above 6 raise questions of overt efforts to fake good

Question 8

Cashel Discriminant

Answer 8

optimally distinguish between defensive and honest responding; scores above 160 suggest respondent overtly attempted to portray themselves in a distorted way, profile probably reflects the way the respondent desires to appear rather than true self

Question 9

Substance Abuse Denial

Answer 9

concerning if discrepancies between what is reported and what is depicted in profile

Question 10

SOM

Answer 10

Somatic complaints; complaints and concerns about physical functioning and health matters in general

Question 11

SOM-C

Answer 11

Conversion; focuses on rare symptoms of sensory or motor dysfunctions associated with conversion disorder; can elevate in certain medical conditions

Question 12

SOM-S

Answer 12

Somatization; focuses on the frequent occurrence of various common physical symptoms and vague complaints of ill health fatigue

Question 13

SOM-H

Answer 13

Health Concerns; focuses on a preoccupation with health status and physical problems

Question 14

ANX

Answer 14

Anxiety; nonspecific indicator of the degree of tension and negative affect experienced by the respondent

Question 15

ANX-C

Answer 15

Cognitive; focuses on ruminative worry and concerns about current issues that results in impaired concentration and attention

Question 16

ANX-A

Answer 16

Affective; focuses on the experience of tension, difficulty in relaxing, and the presence of fatigue as a result of high perceived stress

Question 17

ANX-P

Answer 17

Physiological; Focuses on overt physical signs of tension and stress, such as sweaty palms, trembling hands, complaints of irregular heartbeats, and shortness of breath

Question 18

ARD

Answer 18

Anxiety-related disorders; a measure of the extent of behavioral expression of anxiety

Question 19

ARD-O

Answer 19

Obsessive-compulsive; focuses on intrusive thoughts or behaviors, rigidity, indecision, perfectionism, and affective constriction

Question 20

ARD-P

Answer 20

Phobias; focuses on common phobic fears, such as social situations, public transportation, heights, enclosed spaces, or other specific objects

Question 21

ARD-T

Answer 21

Traumatic Stress; Focuses on the experience of traumatic events that cause continuing distress and that are experienced as having left the client changed or damaged in some fundamental way

Question 22

DEP

Answer 22

Depression; indicates broad spectrum of diagnostic depressive symptomology; unhappiness or distress; sensitive, pessimistic, and prone to self-doubt

Question 23

DEP-C

Answer 23

Cognitive; Focuses on thoughts of worthlessness, hopelessness, and personal failure as well as indecisiveness and difficulties in concentration

Question 24

DEP-A

Answer 24

Affective; Focuses on feeling of sadness, loss of interest in normal activities, and anhedonia

Question 25

DEP-P

Answer 25

Physiological; focuses on level of physical functioning, activity, and energy, including disturbance in sleep pattern, change in appetite and weight loss

Question 26

MAN

Answer 26

Mania; Focuses on affective, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms of mania and hypomania

Question 27

MAN-A

Answer 27

Activity Level; focuses on overinvolvement in a wide variety of activities in a somewhat disorganized manner and the experience of accelerated thought processes and behavior

Question 28

MAN-G

Answer 28

Grandiosity; focuses on inflated self-esteem. expansiveness, and the belief that one has special and unique skills or talents

Question 29

MAN-I

Answer 29

Irritability; focuses on the presence of strained relationships due to the respondent's frustration with the inability or unwillingness of others to keep up with their plans, demands and possibly unrealistic ideas

Question 30

PAR

Answer 30

Paranoia; focuses on symptoms and enduring characteristics of paranoia

Question 31

PAR-H

Answer 31

Hypervigilance; focuses on suspiciousness and the tendency to monitor the environment for real or imagined slights by others

Question 32

PAR-P

Answer 32

Persecution; focuses on the belief that one has been treated inequitably and that there is a concerted effort among others to undermine one's interest

Question 33

PAR-R

Answer 33

Resentment; focuses on a bitterness and cynicism in interpersonal relationships and a tendency to hold grudges and externalize blame for any misfortunes

Question 34

SCZ

Answer 34

Schizophrenia; unusual beliefs and perceptions, poor social competence and social anhedonia, or inefficiency and disturbances in attention, concentration, and associational processes

Question 35

SCZ-P

Answer 35

Psychotic Experiences; Focuses on the experience of unusual perceptions and sensations, magical thinking, and other unusual ideas that may involve delusional beliefs

Question 36

SCZ-S

Answer 36

Social Detachment; focuses on social isolation, discomfort, and awkwardness in social situations

Question 37

SCZ-T

Answer 37

Thought Disorder; focuses on confusion, concentration problems and disorganization of thought processes

Question 38

BOR

Answer 38

Borderline; Focuses on attributes indicative of a borderline level of personality functioning, including unstable and fluctuating interpersonal relations, impulsivity, affective lability and instability, and uncontrolled anger

Question 39

BOR-A

Answer 39

Affective Instability; Focuses on emotional responsiveness, rapid mood changes, and poor emotional control; below 40t can reflect describing self as fairly unresponsive emotionally and appear affectively constricted

Question 40

BOR-I

Answer 40

Identity Problems; focuses on uncertainty about major life issues and feelings of emptiness, lack of fulfillment and an absence of purpose

Question 41

BOR-N

Answer 41

Negative Relationships; focuses on a history of ambivalent, intense relationships in which one has felt exploited and betrayed

Question 42

BOR-S

Answer 42

Self-Harm; focuses on impulsivity in areas that have high potential for negative consequences

Question 43

ANT

Answer 43

Antisocial; egocentricity, adventurousness and poor empathy

Question 44

ANT-A

Answer 44

Antisocial Behaviors; focuses on a history of antisocial acts and involvement in illegal activities

Question 45

ANT-E

Answer 45

Egocentricity; focuses on a lack of empathy or remorse and a generally exploitative approach to interpersonal relationships

Question 46

ANT-S

Answer 46

Stimulus-Seeking; focuses on a craving for excitement and sensation, a low tolerance for boredom and a tendency to be reckless and risk-taking

Question 47

ALC

Answer 47

Alcohol Problems; assessment of behaviors and consequences related to alcohol use, abuse and dependence; ranges from statements of total abstinence through frequent use to severe consequences of drinking, loss of control, and alcohol-related cravings

Question 48

DRG

Answer 48

Drug Problems; assessment of behaviors and consequences related to drug use, abuse and dependence; ranges from total abstinence through frequent use to severe consequences of drug use

Question 49

AGG

Answer 49

Aggression; general assessment of temperamental anger and hostility as well as a determination of the typical modes through which they are expressed

Question 50

AGG-A

Answer 50

Aggressive Attitude; focuses on hostility, poor control over anger expression, and a belief in the instrumental utility of aggression

Question 51

AGG-V

Answer 51

Verbal Aggression; focuses on verbal expressions of anger ranging from assertiveness to abusiveness and on a readiness to express anger to others

Question 52

AGG-P

Answer 52

Physical Aggression; focuses on a tendency to have physical displays of anger, including damage to property, physical fights, and threats of violence

Question 53

SUI

Answer 53

Suicidal Ideation; items range in severity from thinking about death to ever having contemplated suicide to a current or serious consideration of suicide

Question 54

STR

Answer 54

Stress; assessment of life stressors that the client is currently experiencing or has recently experienced; includes family relationships, financial hardships, difficulties related to the nature or status of employment, or major changes that have recently occurred or about to occur in the client's life

Question 55

NON

Answer 55

Nonsupport; provides a measure of a perceived lack of social support, tapping both the availability and quality of the client's social relationships; addresses the level and nature of interactions with acquaintances, friends and family members

Question 56

RXR

Answer 56

Treatment Rejection; indicates attitudes that could pose potential problems with motivation for treatment; individuals high in this lack willingness to participate actively, honest in self-description, ability to recognize problems when they exist and acceptance of some degree of responsibility for these problems and their solutions, psychological mindedness, openness to new ideas and an interest in personal improvement

Question 57

DOM

Answer 57

Dominance; the degree to which a person desires control in interpersonal relationships

Question 58

WRM

Answer 58

Warmth; the degree to which a person is interested in and comfortable with attachment relationships