Mooney Problem Checklist

By Ross L. Mooney and Leonard V. Gordon

(1950)
 Description:
The MPCL was developed by Mooney in 1950 to empirically synthesize
problems encountered by young people systematically. It is consists of 11 areas
of concern, namely:

- Health (health and physical development)

- Finance (finance, living conditions and employment)
- Recreation (social and recreational activities)
- Courtship (courtship, sex and marriage)
- Social (social – psychological relations)
- Personal (personal-psychological relations)
- Religion (morals and religion)
- Family (home and family)
- Career (future-vocational and educational)
- Education (adjustment to school work)
- Learning (curriculum and teaching procedures)
 The Mooney Problem Checklist (MPCL) is considered one of
the most useful instruments to categorize the many categories of
11 areas of concerns as well as providing opportunity for
respondents to list their new problems.
It is easily administered and does not require in-depth
knowledge and the respondents are also given an
opportunity to list their opinion or view on new problem
that they might faced.

GEN. PURPOSE: Help individuals express their personal

problems.
 There are four forms and sold by the Psychological Corporation.
Checklist forms were published for different age ranges:

 I. Adult Form (A)

 II. College Form (C)
Each blank consists of a list of items
 III. High School Form (H) varying in numbers from 210 to 330
 IV. Junior High School Form (J) representing areas.
Test Administration:
- It is self-administered;
- Given to groups or individual testing;
- No time limit;
- Instructed to underline all items of concern;
- Among the underline all items of concern,
circle those of the most concern; and
- Answer summary questions in their own
words.
 Interpretation:
- This is not a TEST and DOES NOT yield scores;
- Items which have been CIRCLED are counted;
- Items which have been underlined are also
counted; and
- Areas with a high number of items marked should
be EXAMINED.
 Mooney Problem Checklist
1. Don’t get enough sleep
2. Being a grade behind in school.
3. Being an only child.
4. Having to ask parents for money.
5. Not allowed to go with friends I like.
6. Bashful.
7. Getting too excited.
8. Poor complexion or skin trouble.
9. Trouble with writing.
10. Death in the family.
11. Not knowing how to buy things wisely.
12. Girls don’t seem to like me.
13. Too easily led by other people.
14. Lacking self-control.
15. Underweight.
16. Worried about grades.
17. Parents favoring a brother or a sister.
18. Needing to find a part-time job now.
19. Wanting to know more about boys.
20. Being treated like an outsider.