Online Psychological Assessment

Online psychological assessment has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, particularly in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

On this page ...

• Reliability & Validity
• Limitations & Cautions
• Online Psychological Assessment: More Research
• Remote Psychological Assessment: Conclusion
• References

As mental health professionals and their clients adapt to the new realities of remote service delivery, it is crucial to examine the advantages and disadvantages of online psychological assessment compared to traditional in-person assessment.

This article explores the current state of research on the topic, focusing on the reliability, validity, and practical implications of online psychological testing.

One of the primary advantages of online psychological assessment is its accessibility and convenience. Clients can complete assessments from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating the need for travel and reducing the time commitment associated with in-person appointments (Corey & Ben-Porath, 2020).

This increased accessibility can be particularly beneficial for individuals living in rural areas, those with mobility issues, or those with busy schedules that make in-person appointments challenging.

Another potential benefit of online psychological assessment is the increased sense of privacy and anonymity it can provide.

Some clients may feel more comfortable disclosing sensitive information in an online format, as it can feel less intimidating than face-to-face interactions (Giromini et al., 2021). This increased comfort level may lead to more honest and accurate responses, potentially enhancing the validity of the assessment results.

Reliability & Validity

The validity and reliability of online psychological assessments compared to in-person administrations remain a topic of ongoing research.

Several studies have investigated the comparability of online and in-person administrations of widely used psychological tests, such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and its various iterations (Agarwal et al., 2023; Kremyar et al., 2023; Menton et al., 2022).

Agarwal et al. (2023) examined the effectiveness of MMPI-3 validity scales in detecting invalid responding across in-person and telehealth administration procedures. Their findings suggest that the MMPI-3 validity scales perform similarly across both administration formats, supporting the use of the MMPI-3 in telehealth settings.

Similarly, Kremyar et al. (2023) investigated the comparability of MMPI-3 scores from remote and in-person administrations, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MMPI-3 scores. Their results indicate that MMPI-3 scores obtained through remote administration are comparable to those obtained through in-person administration, and that the pandemic did not significantly affect MMPI-3 scores.

Menton et al. (2022) provided evidence for the comparability of local and remote administrations of the MMPI-2-RF in police candidate evaluations. Their findings support the use of remote MMPI-2-RF administration in high-stakes assessment contexts, such as pre-employment screening for law enforcement positions.

Limitations & Cautions

While these studies provide encouraging evidence for the comparability of online and in-person administrations of the MMPI, it is essential to consider the limitations and potential challenges associated with online psychological assessment.

One concern is the possibility of technological issues, such as internet connectivity problems or software glitches, which could disrupt the assessment process and potentially compromise the validity of the results (Corey & Ben-Porath, 2020).

Another potential disadvantage of online psychological assessment is the lack of direct observation and interaction between the mental health professional and the client. In-person assessments allow for the observation of nonverbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, which can provide valuable information about the client's emotional state and overall functioning (Giromini et al., 2021). The absence of these cues in online assessments may, in some instances, limit the mental health professional's ability to fully understand the client's presentation and make accurate diagnostic and treatment recommendations.

Privacy and data security concerns are also important considerations in online psychological assessment. Mental health professionals must ensure that the platforms and tools used for online assessments are HIPAA-compliant and that client data is securely stored and transmitted (Corey & Ben-Porath, 2020).

Clients may be hesitant to engage in online assessments if they are not confident in the privacy and security measures in place.

Online Psychological Assessment: More Research

In addition to the MMPI, researchers have examined the comparability and validity of other psychological tests administered online.

Giromini et al. (2021) investigated the comparability and validity of the online and in-person administrations of the Inventory of Problems-29 (IOP-29), a self-report measure designed to assess feigning of mental and cognitive disorders. Their results support the use of the IOP-29 in both online and in-person formats, with comparable validity in detecting feigned symptoms.

Giromini et al. (2024) conducted a simulation study on the use of the MMPI-2-RF, IOP-29, IOP-M, and the Inventory of Feigning Symptoms (FIT) in the in-person and remote administration formats for the assessment of feigned mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Their findings suggest that these instruments can effectively detect feigned mTBI in both administration formats, supporting their use in remote assessments.

In the realm of cognitive assessment, Loring et al. (2023) evaluated the telehealth equivalence of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a widely used screening tool for cognitive impairment. Their results, based on data from the Emory Healthy Brain Study, indicate that MoCA scores obtained through telehealth administration are equivalent to those obtained through in-person administration, supporting the use of the MoCA in remote cognitive assessments.

Shura et al. (2024) evaluated the use of telehealth administration of MMPI symptom validity scales, which are designed to detect non-credible reporting of symptoms. Their findings support the use of these scales in remote assessments, providing mental health professionals with tools to assess the validity of client responses in online formats.

Young (2024) provided a comprehensive review of remote neuropsychological assessment, addressing issues related to forensics, research, and ethics. The author highlights the potential benefits of remote assessments, such as increased access to services, but also emphasizes the need for careful consideration of ethical and methodological challenges, such as ensuring test security and maintaining the integrity of the assessment process.

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Remote Psychological Assessment: Conclusion

Despite the growing body of research supporting the comparability and validity of online psychological assessments, it is essential for mental health professionals to exercise caution and use their clinical judgment when interpreting results obtained through remote administration.

Factors such as the client's comfort level with technology, the presence of distractions in the testing environment, and the potential for technical issues should be considered when determining the appropriateness of online assessment for a particular client (Corey & Ben-Porath, 2020).

In addition to considering the reliability and validity of online psychological assessments, mental health professionals must also navigate the practical and ethical challenges associated with remote service delivery. This includes ensuring that clients have access to the necessary technology and a private, distraction-free environment in which to complete assessments, as well as obtaining informed consent and providing clear instructions for the online assessment process (Corey & Ben-Porath, 2020).

As the field of online psychological assessment continues to evolve, ongoing research will be essential to further establish the reliability, validity, and best practices for remote administration of psychological tests.

Psychologists and other mental health professionals should stay informed about the latest research findings and guidelines to ensure that they are providing the highest quality of care to their clients, whether in-person or online.

In conclusion, online psychological assessment offers a promising alternative to traditional in-person assessment, with potential advantages such as increased accessibility, convenience, and comfort for clients.

However, mental health professionals must carefully consider the limitations and challenges associated with remote assessment, including technological issues, the lack of direct observation, and concerns about privacy and data security.

By staying informed about the current research, exercising clinical judgment, and prioritizing client welfare, mental health professionals can effectively integrate online psychological assessment into their practice, ultimately improving access to and quality of mental health services.

References

Agarwal, L. P., Keen, M. A., Morris, C. S., & Ingram, P. B. (2023). Contrasting MMPI-3 validity scale effectiveness differences across in-person and telehealth administration procedures. Psychological Assessment, 35(11), 925–937. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0001258

Corey, D. M., & Ben-Porath, Y. S. (2020). Practical guidance on the use of the MMPI instruments in remote psychological testing. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 51(3), 199–204. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000329

Giromini, L., Pignolo, C., Young, G., Drogin, E. Y., Zennaro, A., & Viglione, D. J. (2021). Comparability and Validity of the Online and In-Person Administrations of the Inventory of Problems-29. Psychological Injury and Law, 14(2), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12207-021-09406-0

Giromini, L., Pignolo, C., Zennaro, A., & Sellbom, M. (2024). Using the MMPI-2-RF, IOP-29, IOP-M, and FIT in the In-Person and Remote Administration Formats: A Simulation Study on Feigned mTBI. Assessment, 10731911241235465. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911241235465

Joint Task Force for the Development of Telepsychology Guidelines for Psychologists. (2013). Guidelines for the practice of telepsychology. American Psychologist, 68(9), 791–800. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035001

Kremyar, A. J., Whitman, M. R., Hall, J. T., Maccarone, K. J., Cimino, M. C., Menton, W. H., & Ben-Porath, Y. S. (2023). Comparability of MMPI-3 scores from remote and in-person administrations and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MMPI-3 scores. Psychological Assessment, 35(11), 911–924. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0001252

Loring, D. W., Lah, J. J., & Goldstein, F. C. (2023). Telehealth equivalence of the Montreal cognitive assessment ( MoCA ): Results from the Emory healthy brain study ( EHBS ). Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(6), 1931–1936. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18271

Menton, W. H., Corey, D. M., & Ben-Porath, Y. S. (2022). Evidence for the comparability of local and remote administrations of the MMPI-2-RF in police candidate evaluations. Psychological Assessment, 34(1), 98–104. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0001088

Shura, R. D., Sapp, A., Ingram, P. B., & Brearly, T. W. (2024). Evaluation of telehealth administration of MMPI symptom validity scales. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2024.2314734

Skala, J., Chavez, J. X., Anderson, K., & Gulrajani, C. (2023). Examiners’ perceptions of forensic mental health assessments conducted via videoconferencing. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 41(5), 292–309. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.2621

Young, G. (2024). Remote Neuropsychological Assessment: Forensics, Research, and Ethics. Psychological Injury and Law, 17(3), 291–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12207-024-09515-6

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