Purpose: This assessment is an exceptionally useful tool for employers to evaluate potential mental health problems for job candidates such as power plant operators, pilots, nannies, babysitters, pilots, and other positions where an employer may want to investigate mental issues that could create serious job performance problems, the PAI® provides valuable insights that are not available with normal pre-employment assessment tools.
With child care workers, you may be seeking information on possible aggressiveness or sexual acting out with children. With operators in power plants or water distribution systems, pilots, etc., evidence of paranoia, depression, or suicidal ideation suggests possible misuse of authority to cause serious damage to the general public.
Background of the PAI: Developed by Leslie Morey, Ph.D. of PAR, Inc., Resource Associates is a licensed user of this outstanding clinical evaluative tool. The PAI® sets the standard for the assessment of adult psychopathology. This objective inventory of adult personality assesses psychopathological syndromes for 22 scales and provides information relevant for clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, and screening for psychopathology. Since its introduction, the PAI has been heralded as one of the most important innovations in the field of clinical assessment. Reliability studies indicate that the PAI has a high degree of internal consistency across samples--results are stable over periods of 2-4 weeks (median and test-retest correlations exceed .80). Validity studies demonstrate convergent and discriminant validity with more than 50 other measures of psychopathology.
About the Test: The PAI® consists of 344 statements to which the candidate has to choose among four possible answers. This test takes about 50 minutes, although it will vary from person to person because it is untimed.
What the Report Gives You: The report provides two graphical displays of scores along with narrative interpretation of the scores. Considerable narrative interpretation follows to discuss Clinical Features, Self-Concept, Social and Interpersonal Environment, Treatment Considerations, Diagnostic Possibilities, and Critical Item Endorsement.
Testing Process: Online testing or paper-and-pencil testing is available. Proctoring is encouraged to ensure that the results actually pertain to your candidate and not someone else who may be helping answer the questions. Once the candidate completes the questions and submits the results, we then have to download the data in order to produce a PAI® report. Normally, we are able to email the report to you the same day, but if you have an urgent need for the report, please contact our office in advance so that we can make arrangements to ensure a quick response. If the test shows signs of serious pathology that could affect job performance, we will communicate with you to make sure the results are readily understandable.
Options: In addition to giving the PAI®, you may also want to have your candidate interviewed by phone by one of our Clinical Psychologists. If you desire this option, please contact us to discuss your particular needs and concerns.
Undesirable Behaviors
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PAI® Scales
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Desirable Behaviors
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Intense concern about bodily functions
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Somatic Complaints
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No unusual bodily concerns.
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Anxious, worried, overly sensitive, hyper-reactive
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Anxiety
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Anxiety producing situations are handled in a mature manner.
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Obsessive-compulsive behaviors, phobias, excessive fears
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Anxiety-Related Disorders
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No evidence of excessive fears or obsessive behaviors.
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Unhappy, pessimistic, self-doubting, lethargic, sad, tearful, suicidal
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Depression
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No evidence of depression.
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Agitated, frenetic, excessive energy / activity level, restless, impulsive, grandiose, hostile, quick-tempered
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Mania
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Normal level of self-confidence, optimism, and activity.
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Hyper-vigilant, suspicious, fearful, perceives serious threats, delusional
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Paranoia
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No evidence of unreasonable suspiciousness or sense of external threat.
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Withdrawn, aloof, socially isolated, hallucinations, psychotic thinking, inattentive, inability to handle normal life responsibilities
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Schizophrenia
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No evidence of psychosis or thought disorder. Interaction patterns normal.
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Identity problems, unstable relationships, hyper-emotional, moody, hyper-sensitive, impulsive, self-centered, overly dramatic
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Borderline
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No evidence of unstable moods, normal relationships.
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Excessive risk taking, self-centered / self-serving, impulsive, unsympathetic
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Anti-Social
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No evidence of being overly self-serving.
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Alcohol abuse / alcohol dependence
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Alcohol Problems
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No evidence of alcohol-related problems.
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Drug abuse / drug dependence
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Drug Use
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Drug use infrequent or non-existent.
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Irritable, quick-tempered, angry, potential for overt aggression
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Aggression
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No evidence of unreasonable anger or potential for aggression.
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Pessimistic, self-hatred, suicidal ideation, potential for self-harm
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Suicidal Ideation
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No evidence of suicidal potential.
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Feels considerable stress, feels overwhelmed by problems, incapacitated
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Stress
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Stable, predictable life style.
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Few relationships, feels there is lack of support, feels alone
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Non-support
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Perceives their lives as having a number of supportive relationships to call upon as needed.
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Does not see need for treatment
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Attitudes Toward Treatment
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Willing to accept treatment if there is a need.
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Timid, hesitant, modest, indecisive
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Dominance
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Confident, self-assured, forceful, decisive.
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Cool, reserved, aloof, unfeeling, uninvolved and disinterested in relationships
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Warmth
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Warm, sympathetic, supportive of others, engaged with a reasonable number of people in his/her life space.
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