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Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare psychometric properties of the Substance Abuse (SUB) Scale on the Korean Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent-Restructured Form (MMPI-A-RF) with those on the Korean MMPI-A (the Alcohol/Drug Problem Acknowledgment Scale [ACK]), the Alcohol/Drug Problem Proneness Scale [PRO], and the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised Scale [MAC-R])., Method: Participants consisted of 237 Korean adolescent psychiatric patients whose scores on these measures were compared in terms of internal consistency and predictive validity., Results: Scores on SUB exhibited superior internal consistency to that of the MMPI-A substance abuse scales. Further, scores on SUB predicted substance abuse more accurately than did the optimal combination of scores on the MMPI-A substance abuse scales., Conclusion: Results provide strong support for the use of the Korean MMPI-A-RF SUB scale when assessing substance abuse in Korean youth., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: Training in broad-based objective and projective personality assessments has been a mainstay of applied psychology. Stedman (2007) and Piotrowski (2015) have documented a decline in projective training during internship. This study investigated internship directors' current expectations regarding graduate school training with objective and projective instruments, their ratings of the importance of that training, and current training patterns with objective and projective instruments during internship., Method: Participants were 355 psychology internship programs, representing 46.1% of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers., Results: Results indicated the following current internship training patterns: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (68% to 51%), Personality Assessment Inventory (59% to 25%), Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (51% to 34%), Rorschach (35 to 26%), story telling (41% to 19%), sentence completion (41% to 18%), and drawings (36% to 9%). Adult program directors reported higher percentages for objective tests; child program directors reported higher percentages for projective tests., Conclusion: A decreased valuation of projective techniques is now typical of current internship training programs., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: The main aim of this study involves comparing the personality profiles of patients with medication-overuse headache (MOH) and episodic headaches, in order to elucidate the role of personality characteristics, according to one of the most widely used and validated personality assessment tool: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2)., Background: Many studies have assessed the personality of headache patients by means of MMPI-2 only using clinical and content scales. In this study the supplementary scales were also used as they evaluate different aspects of personality, particularly broad personality characteristics, generalized emotional distress and behavioral dyscontrol., Methods: We recruited 219 subjects (151 women and 68 men) who were grouped in the following categories: MOH group (n = 82); episodic headache group (n = 82; 58 migraine aura; 6 migraine with aura; 6 frequent episodic tension-type headache; 12 migraine+infrequent episodic tension-type headache) and 1 group of 55 healthy controls. MMPI-2 was employed. Data were computed with one-way anova and post hoc analyses., Results: Medication-overuse headache and episodic headache patients (EH) showed a very similar pattern, differentiating each other only in the Hypochondriasis (Hs) (P = .007; MOH: mean 14.18 [SD 5.53]; EH: mean 11.93 [SD 5.88] and Health Concerns [HEA]) (P = .005; MOH: mean 14.06 [SD 5.38]; EH: mean 11.81 [SD 5.59]) scales. Surprisingly, no differences were found between the 3 groups in the scales measuring dependence-related behavior such as Addiction Potential Scale (Aps) and Addiction Admission Scale (Aas). MOH and episodic headache patients scored significantly higher in the so-called neurotic scales Hs (P < .0001; MOH: mean 14.18 [SD 5.53]; EH: mean 11.93 [SD 5.88];, Controls: mean 5.91 [SD 3.57]), Depression (D) (P < .0001; MOH: mean 26.44 [SD 7.01]; EH: mean 26.09 [SD 5.85];, Controls: mean 21.47 [SD 4.90]), and Hysteria (Hy) (P < .0001; MOH: mean 27.33 [SD 5.51]; EH: mean 26.81 [SD 5.68];, Controls: mean 21.95 [3.85]) and in many other scales such as Paranoia (Pa), Psychasthenia (Pt), Schizophrenia (Sc) while they scored significantly lower on Ego Strength (Es) and Dominance (Do) scales when compared with controls., Conclusions: Patients with MOH and episodic headache showed very similar patterns, differentiating only in the Hypochondriasis and Health Concerns scales. Surprisingly, there were no significant differences in the scores of the scales measuring dependence-related behavior. The clinical role of MMPI-2 in discriminating MOH patients with dependency from drugs is discussed, in order to implement a complete tests' battery for headache patients' assessment.

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether the psychological profile may have prognostic significance in chronic migraine patients., Methods: The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 was used for the psychological assessment of patients with chronic migraine to explore personality traits. Patients with psychiatric disease and medication overuse were excluded. One hundred and two patients completed the study. Migraine-related disability was measured using the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire at baseline (T(0)) and again after 2 years (T(1)), during which patients received prophylactic treatment for migraine. At T(1) patients were classified into those exhibiting significant improvement (group 1: scores reduced by at least 50%) and those with unsatisfactory changes in headache-related disability (group 2: scores reduced by less than 50%)., Results: At T(1) 49 patients were in group 1 and 53 in group 2; at T(0), group 1 patients had significantly lower Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 scores in the neurotic (hypochondriasis: P < .01; depression: P < .001; hysteria: P < .01) and schizophrenia (P < .05) scales. None of the other variables studied, ie, age, sex, age at migraine onset, number of years from chronic migraine onset, T(0) Migraine Disability Assessment score, T(0) headache frequency, severity and temporal pattern (continuous vs intermittent) differed significantly between the groups., Conclusions: Findings suggest that psychological factors can influence the clinical course of chronic migraine and that psychological evaluation with Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 may be a reliable approach to obtain prognostic data and information for therapy planning in patients with chronic migraine.

Despite much evidence of cognitive and affective disorders in Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), the nature of mental status in FRDA has received little systematic attention. It has been proposed that the cerebellum may interfere indirectly with cognition through the cerebello-cortical loops, whereas the role of pathological changes in different areas of the central nervous system is still undetermined. In the present study, 13 patients with molecularly determined FRDA and a group of matched controls were evaluated by a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. A repetitive task of simple visual-reaction times was used to investigate implicit learning in all subjects. Pathological changes in cortical areas were explored comparing cerebral activations of patients and controls during finger movements (functional MRI). The intelligence profile of FRDA patients is characterized by concrete thinking, poor capacity in concept formation and visuospatial reasoning. FRDA patients show reduced speed of information processing. The learning effect seen in controls was notably absent in patients with FRDA. The patients' personality is characterized by some pathological aspects and reduced defensiveness. Patterns of cortical activation during finger movements are heterogeneous in patients compared to controls. Cognitive impairment, mood disorders and motor deficits in FRDA patients may be the result of the cumulative damage caused by frataxin deficiency not only in the cerebellum and spinal cord but also in other brain areas.

The present investigation was an exploratory examination of the relation of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2; Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) Clinical scales to spirituality operationalized in terms of self-reported religious involvement and scores on a multidimensional measure called the Expressions of Spirituality Inventory (ESI; MacDonald, 1997, 2000). MANOVA and correlational results indicate that the MMPI-2 Clinical scales generate patterns of findings consistent with available research on spirituality and health. In particular, persons reporting involvement in organized religion obtained significantly lower MMPI-2 Clinical scale scores and were found to be less likely to obtain a clinically significant score (i.e., t-scores >64) on any of the MMPI-2 scales. Further, with the exception of Masculine-Feminine and Hypomania, all MMPI-2 scales were found to associate appreciably with ESI dimension scores. The study concludes with a brief discussion of the meaning and implications of the findings for future research aimed at investigating the relation of spirituality to health., (Copyright 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 59: 399-410, 2003.)

The present study compared the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) clinical and content scale profiles of a group of adult women (N = 73) charged with either murder of their child (filicide) (n = 30), their partner (mariticide) (n = 19), or an unrelated adult (homicide) (n = 24). No significant differences were seen among the three groups on either the MMPI-2 clinical or content scales. Clinical inspection of the 53 valid MMPI-2 profiles (F < 110T) revealed a 6-8 mean profile for the filicidal women, a 2-6 mean profile for the mariticidal women, and a 4-8 mean profile for the homicidal women. Application of the data for criminal forensic psychological evaluations is discussed., (Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

The second edition of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2: Butcher & Williams, 1992) has become the standard instrument for assessing individuals in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric facilities (Piotrowski, 1997). This study reports on the responding of 516 adult psychiatric inpatients on an acute-care inpatient unit who were administered the MMPI-2 after they were referred for diagnostic testing. Base-rate responding, two-point code frequencies, and gender- and race-based responding are reported. Differences in gender and race responding are noted to coincide with differences in psychiatric diagnosis for those groups. The importance of having base rates for an inpatient sample is discussed. In particular, it is noted that the high levels of endorsement that are characteristic of this population can be difficult to interpret without access to inpatient comparison profiles.

The relationship between coercion strategies used by perpetrators of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and elevations of CSA survivors on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) was investigated. Participants were 151 women survivors of CSA in outpatient treatment at a university-based community mental health center. Scores on the MMPI-2 clinical scales and the Keane posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scale were examined. Main effects were found for promised or received rewards on several clinical scales and the PTSD scale of the MMPI-2, independent of the presence of force. Specifically, the presence of such rewards was associated with significantly higher levels of symptomatology on Paranoia (Pa), Psychasthenia (Pt), Schizophrenia (Sc), and PTSD (Pk). There were no main or interaction effects noted for the presence of actual or threatened force on any of the scales.

Elements of response style were examined among three groups of chronic, psychotic, forensic patients: paranoid schizophrenics (N = 89); undifferentiated-disorganized schizophrenics (N = 38); and schizoaffective patients (N = 53). Forensic patients with elevated MMPI-2 L Scales produced increased percentages of Pure Form (F%) on the Rorschach. A similar relationship occurred when the Rorschach was used as the independent measure. Schizoaffective patients reported more psychotic symptoms on the MMPI-2 and lower F% (Rorschach) than both schizophrenic groups. Although undifferentiated schizophrenics evidenced the most psychopathology on the Rorschach (impaired reality testing and perceptual accuracy disturbance), all three groups produced lower than expected frequencies for Rorschach variables commonly associated with thought disorder and poor reality testing (Exner, 1995b). The clinical importance of using the MMPI-2 and Rorschach in tandem with forensic psychiatric patients is discussed. Our empirical findings suggest the need for forensic evaluators to consider the important relationship between psychiatric diagnosis and response style (defensiveness, denial, illness chronicity, medications, and concurrent Axis II psychopathology) when interpreting often-constricted psychological testing protocols in chronic forensic patient populations.

This paper presents the results of a study of the Mexican Spanish version of the MMPI-2 with a clinical sample of 233 patients who were diagnosed as having psychological disturbances or personality disorders, according to DSM-III R criteria. Inpatient scores were obtained from four psychiatric hospitals, located in Mexico City. The scores of the patients were compared with those of Mexican college students, which is the largest Mexican normative sample collected to date, consisting of 813 men and 1,137 women. Results of this study show that the MMPI-2 can accurately differentiate between normal and non-normal groups in Mexican populations and demonstrate that the inventory maintains its construct validity in this clinical sample.

This study focused on the frequency with which two MMPI-2 suicide items (506 and 520) were endorsed. These two items can be referred to as the "I Mean Business" items, for there is no denying that the client is reporting the recent contemplation of actively taking his or her life. A large sample (N = 23,646) of well-defined MMPI-2 codetypes was examined from the Caldwell (1997) data set. The frequencies with which individuals within a particular codetype endorsed Item 506, Item 520, or both are provided by gender. Results provide information that is consistent with the clinical lore concerning suicidal ideation/intent and codetypes. Unexpected findings are also noted. The implications of these base rates in psychotherapy are discussed from clinical and risk management perspectives.

Millon's basic personality styles as measured by the Personality Adjective Check List (PACL; Strack, 1987, 1991b) were linked to Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2; Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) basic scales via bivariate correlation and factor analysis in independent samples of psychiatric patients (N = 196) and normal adults (N = 124). Consistent with previous research, Millon's neurotic, introverted styles were positively associated with MMPI-2 scales measuring introversion, affective states, and disturbed thinking, whereas extroverted, socially dominant Millon styles were negatively associated to the same scales. Millon personalities and MMPI-2 scales were reliably associated along two bipolar dimensions measuring Neuroticism/Introversion versus Extroversion and Emotional Distress versus Emotional Stability, which accounted for 45% of the variance. A third General Distress factor loaded only MMPI-2 scales. Congruency coefficients indicated that the factors for patients and normal participants were very similar. Results highlighted the consistency of the links between MMPI-2 basic scales, the PACL, and other Millon instruments, as well as the utility of the PACL as a measure of Millon's personality styles in a mental health population.

Recently it has been shown that oral administration of the MMPI-168(L), with simplified explanations of the items provided when needed, can reveal information related to personality and psychopathology in many individuals with mental retardation. The results of repeated administrations of the inventory to 7 clients residing in an institutional setting over a period exceeding 3 years in some cases are presented here. It is argued that results obtained by repeated administration the MMPI-168(L) can reveal information concerning changes in mental health status for many individuals with mental retardation.

This study examines characteristics of Arbisi and Ben-Porath's (1995) MMPI-2 Infrequency-Psychopathology scale, F(p), in a sample of individuals admitted for inpatient treatment of chemical dependency. The F(p) scale, designed to detect deviant response biases in settings characterized by high base rates of psychopathology, was found by Arbisi and Ben-Porath (1995) to have good construct and incremental validity with psychiatric inpatients. Comparisons of the F(p), Infrequency (F), and Infrequency-Back (Fb) scales' means and relationships to indices of psychopathology in the current study provide evidence supporting the F(p) scale's validity in populations of chemically dependent inpatients with and without concurrent psychiatric diagnoses.

Normative tables for various MMPI-2 code types, which may be used to enhance the interpretation of the Harris and Lingoes subscales, were developed. It was found that scores on the subscales covaried significantly as a function of code type. Gender and code type definition strategy were considered as moderators of the relationship between code type and subscale scores, but neither accounted for a large enough proportion of variance to justify consideration in the tables.

A Variable-Response Scale (VR) was developed for detecting randomness in the Jesness Inventory. Item pairs addressing similar content areas were identified. Pairs which showed endorsement frequencies of 5% or less in the scale development sample (250 males, 250 females) were included. Effectiveness was assessed by comparing 250 all-random and 250 part-random computer-generated protocols with those of honest subjects from a sample of 293 male delinquents classified as honest or not honest based on a matched-pair MMPI-A. VR was found to be very effective. Sensitivity, specificity, and other statistics were reported. Race differences were significant but very small. Younger children showed more inconsistency than older children. Age-based modified t-score norms were developed (1138 male, 358 female delinquents, ages 13-18).

Sixty-three persons residing in an institution and diagnosed with mild or moderate mental retardation were assessed with a modification of the MMPI-168. Fifty-one of the residents also had psychiatric disturbances. The residents were divided into three categories on the bases of pre-existing DSM III-R diagnoses. The categories were "psychotic," "executive control dysfunction," and "other-control." Significant differences were observed between the psychotic group and the other-control group on scales F, K, 6, and 8. Reevaluations were conducted four to 22 months later (MDN = 12 months). Significant test-retest reliability was found with scales L, F, K, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. The MMPI-168(L) can serve as an objective instrument in the assessment of thought disturbance and personality in mentally retarded persons.

Twenty-five new psychiatric outpatient were clinically evaluated and were routinely administered a brief psychological screening battery which included measures of symptoms, personality, and cognitive function. Included in this assessment procedure were the Gottschalk-Gleser Content Analysis Scales on which scores were derived from five-minute speech samples by means of an artificial intelligence-based computer program. Intercorrelations of these content analysis measures with scores obtained from the MMPI-2, SCL90, and other measures confirmed previously published construct validation findings. The use of this computerized content analysis procedure for initial, rapid diagnostic neuropsychiatric appraisal is supported by this research.

A protocol to evaluate the psychopathology of candidates for orthotopic (whole organ) liver transplantation (OLTX) is presented. Patients being considered for OLTX at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System were routinely referred for psychological evaluation consisting of a clinical interview and battery of standardized tests. The findings on 26 patients corroborate previous reports of psychological distress among transplant candidates. There is also evidence that higher levels of disturbance are observed among patients with a positive history of substance abuse. This study supports the value of standardized testing in the transplant population and suggests directions for further research.

The relationship of psychopathology, symptoms of personality disorder, and outgroup prejudice was examined with 193 outpatient psychotherapy clients. Primary DSM-IV diagnosis, General Adaptive Functioning (GAF) scores, personality disorder criteria, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scale scores were examined in relationship to Pr (Prejudice) Scale scores and client outgroup attributions. Results of a 3 x 10 Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated that clinician ratings of outgroup bias were significantly related with the Axis II criteria for Paranoid, Borderline, and Antisocial disorders. MANOVA results for ratings of outgroup bias and MMPI scores did not yield a significant multivariate effect; however, significant univariate ANOVA results were found with the MMPI F, HS, PD, and MA scales. Computed univariate ANOVA results indicated that Pr Scale scores did not significantly vary between primary Axis I and Axis II DSM-IV diagnosis, but did yield a significant difference for (categorical) diagnosis by Axis II Cluster groups. Both Pr Scale scores and clinician ratings of client outgroup bias were significantly related to greater psychopathology, as reflected by lower GAF scores assigned at the initiation of treatment. Findings provide preliminary evidence of the relationship of traits of personality disorder, as characterized by impulsivity, relational disturbance, and affective lability, to outgroup prejudice with a clinical population.

One hundred (39 women and 61 men) hospitalized substance abusers were administered the MMPI and MMPI-2. The correspondence of T-Scores, Codetypes, and MAC/MAC-R scores were analyzed. Results showed that the MMPI-2 produced profiles that were consistent with previous research on the MMPI with substance abusers. However, the relationship between MMPI and MMPI-2 T-scores appeared complex and varied across individual scales for both men and women. Codetype congruence was 38% for one, two, and three-point code-types. Well-defined codetypes accounted for 30% of the profiles. MAC/ MAC-R raw scores were different for men but not for women. Codetypes established for the MMPI may not be fully transferable to the MMPI-2 in a substance abusing population.

The MMPI basic validity and clinical scales' patterns of 295 White-, African- and Latino-American pain patients were compared. Mean group differences across ethnic groups on scales L, F, K, Mf, and Si were revealed in multivariate analysis of covariance for females, while differences across ethnic groups on scales F, K, Mf, Sc, Ma, and Si were revealed for males. In the univariate follow-up analyses of covariance, significant main effects were obtained for ethnicity along with education and (occasionally for males) duration of pain. Various high-point, two-point, and other profile patterns were examined and notable gender/ethnic group differences were found. The pattern of intercorrelations of the MMPI scales mean T scores with various demographic and clinical characteristics suggested some notable divergence across subgroups on certain correlates of the pain experience.

Examined differences between compensation seeking (CS) veterans and noncompensation seeking (NCS) veterans on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and other psychological measures in 142 combat veterans evaluated for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at an outpatient Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital PTSD clinic. Patients were grouped on the basis of their compensation seeking status, with 69% classified as CS for PTSD. The CS veterans achieved significantly more pathological scores across a wide range of psychological inventories and MMPI-2 validity indices, although they did not differ in frequency of PTSD diagnoses from NCS veterans. Implications of these findings are discussed, and clinicians are advised to be aware of the compensation seeking status of combat-veterans being evaluated for PTSD.

A study was conducted to further investigate whether the Keane Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) can be employed as a separate instrument administered outside the context of the full MMPI. A group of Vietnam combat veterans with diagnosed PTSD and two comparison groups of veterans without PTSD (Vietnam combat and era veterans) were diagnosed by clinical interviews. Over 84% of the 64 veterans in the study were accurately classified by the Keane PTSD Scale into their original diagnostic groups. Excellent test sensitivity was demonstrated, with 90% of combat veterans with PTSD being properly classified by the Keane PTSD Scale when the recommended cutoff score of 30 was utilized. The clinical and research implications are discussed.

This article reports adolescent norms for the Optimism-Pessimism (PSM) scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). The PSM scale measures explanatory style on a continuum from optimistic to pessimistic by using 298 MMPI items. It is based on Seligman's theory of explanatory style and was constructed by applying the Content Analysis of Verbatim Explanations (CAVE) technique to the MMPI item pool. The normative equations are based on a random sample of 624 normal boys and 691 normal girls ages 13 through 17 years. Reliability estimates of .94 demonstrate that the PSM scale can accurately assess explanatory style in adolescents. These norms may identify a personality factor associated with poorer physical and mental health and lower levels of achievement.

Nineteen Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) or revised Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) scales, purported to be predictive of treatment outcome, were related to length of stay (LOS) in a domiciliary and to discharge status from a domiciliary for 335 subjects. The revised MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale (MAC-R), Addiction Acknowledgement Scale (AAS), and Addiction Potential Scale (APS), scales indicating a propensity to use illicit substances, and the Psychopathic Deviate Scale (Pd), indicating acting-out, all correlate negatively with length of stay. AAS also correlates negatively with regular/irregular discharge. Other scales expected to predict treatment outcome do not significantly correlate with either length of stay or type of discharge.

Three scoring versions of the MMPI, scored on the same protocol, were compared in a multivariate design with 198 psychiatric patients. The MMPI-168 schizophrenia scale had a statistically higher elevation than the Dutch and American scoring versions. This makes MMPI-168 profiles more often "schizophrenic" than other scoring versions. The MMPI-168 systematically overscores the presence of "psychotic" code types, 45% of all protocols. Implications of the findings are discussed.

The present study investigates the frequency of critical item endorsement for two MMPI-2 critical item sets in a population of inpatients being treated for chemical dependency. Base rates of endorsement in the current study are compared to the results of previous studies using the original MMPI, and relationships between item endorsement and various demographic and diagnostic variables are explored. Implications regarding the utility of critical items in chemically dependent populations are discussed.

The MMPI-2 post-traumatic stress disorder scales (PK and PS) were examined with a sample of 96 outpatient anxiety disorder and 97 outpatient traffic accident subjects. PK and PS correlated .96 and showed highly similar correlations with MMPI-2 validity, clinical, content and supplementary scales for both groups, which indicated that these scales are indices of MMPI first-factor variance. This was supported by separate principal components analyses for each group, in which PK and PS contributed the most variance to the first component. Although the groups showed different MMPI-2 mean profiles, neither PK nor PS contributed to discriminant function classification of group members. It is suggested that PK and PS are indices of general emotional distress and maladjustment; implications for their use in diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder were discussed.

This study intended to differentiate among worker's compensation claimants with psychological problems who presented with work-related harassment and non-harassment complaints on the basis of their MMPI-2 profiles. Analysis of MMPI-2 mean scores revealed that the Harassment group scored significantly higher than the Non-harassment group on scale 6 of the MMPI-2. This was interpreted to mean that the Harassment group was more oversensitive, suspicious, and angry than the other group. There was no evidence that the Harassment group was more likely to exaggerate or malinger than the Non-harassment group. The profile pattern for both groups was otherwise very similar to those found in previous studies that have used MMPI worker's compensation claimants who present with psychological problems.

The MMPI-2 was administered to 122 psychiatric inpatients (62 female, 60 male, mean age 37 years). The various MMPI-2 depression scales and subscales were examined to compare their relative sensitivity. Using the 65T cut-off, scales DEP and D identified approximately 60% and 62%, respectively, as suffering depressotypal symptoms. Using a 70T cut-off, scales D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D-Obvious, and D-Subtle identified 53%, 24%, 37%, 57%, 45%, 53%, and 3%, respectively, as suffering depressotypal symptoms. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for clinical practice.

A 60-item short form of the MMPI with very high content validity and items that appear on both the MMPI and MMPI-2 was developed and named the MMPI-TRI. It contains three 20-item scales--the Subjective Distress, Acting-Out, and Psychosis scales. These three scales have excellent internal consistency and sufficient independence from each other. An anxiety and depression group of patients, prison inmate group, and a schizophrenic and other psychotic group had the highest mean scores on Subjective Distress, Acting-Out, and Psychosis, respectively. Correlations with the 13 regular scales of the MMPI and MMPI-2, their content and supplementary scales, and four other psychometric instruments provided very strong evidence for validity. Norms are provided.

The Revised Optimism-Pessimism (PSM-R) scale was developed for use with either the MMPI-2 or the MMPI. The scale measures explanatory style on a continuum from optimistic to pessimistic by using 263 MMPI items of the original 298-item Optimism-Pessimism (PSM) scale. These 263 items are common to both the MMPI-2 and MMPI. PSM-R norms are based on a random sample of 1,408 normal adults who also were used for developing norms for the original PSM scale. Reliability estimates (.93 for men; .94 for women) indicate that the PSM-R scale is as accurate as the original PSM scale.

The ability of the MMPI to classify five well-defined patient groups was investigated (N = 394; control, neurologic, psychiatric, chronic pain, and random). Clinical inspection and discriminant function analyses of basic clinical and research scales could not classify groups correctly, but discriminant function analyses of 37 variables loaded with CNS items (Cripe Neurologic Symptom items) correctly classified the groups with 78% overall accuracy (70% of neurologic, 62% of psychiatric, 81% of pain, 84% of controls, and 100% random). Results indicate that differential diagnosis is not possible with clinical inspection of scales, but complex statistical analysis of the MMPI is potentially useful in diagnosis and decision making. A method for applying the discriminant function analysis to individual cases is provided.

This study compared the MMPI-2 profiles of 27 veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder with a non-PTSD comparison group of 27 veteran patients receiving inpatient treatment for other mental disorders. Three multivariate analyses of variance were conducted comparing the two groups on the 10 traditional clinical scales, the 12 supplemental scales and the 15 new content scales on the MMPI-2. The PTSD group obtained a mean profile with peak elevations on the F validity scale and on clinical Scales 2 (D) and 8 (Sc). The multivariate analysis of variance comparing the PTSD and non-PTSD groups across the 10 traditional clinical scales was not significant. The multivariate analyses of variance comparing the two groups on the 12 supplemental scales and the 15 content scales were significant. Significant univariate supplemental scale differences were found on the Keane PTSD scale (PK) and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PS) scale with the PTSD group scoring higher on PK and PS. Significant univariate content scale differences were found for the Anger (ANG) scale with the PTSD group scoring higher. A cut-off score of 28 on the PK scale correctly classified 76% of the overall sample, 67% of the PTSD group and 85% of the non-PTSD-comparison group.

A sample of MMPI-2s of worker's compensation and personal injury cases (N = 289) was gathered to examine the relationship of various indicators of exaggeration. Intercorrelations of the F, F-K, the MMPI Dissimulation Scale-revised (Ds-r), total of obvious minus subtle scales (O-S), Fake Bad Scale (FBS), VRIN, and TRIN were computed and the relative sensitivity of each score calculated using various cut-offs. Factor analysis suggests that malingering may take the form of inconsistent responding as well as symptom exaggeration. Patients evaluated at the request of plaintiff attorneys showed a seemingly greater degree of symptom exaggeration and inconsistent responding than did those referred by defense counsel.

The Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) and the MMPI have been used widely to assess chronic pain patients. This study examined the relationship between patient profile classifications generated by the MPI and psychopathology as measured by the MMPI. MPI Dysfunctional and Interpersonally Distressed means were significantly different than the MPI Adaptive Coper means on scales 4, 6, 7, and 8 of the MMPI. The Dysfunctional and Adapative Coper means were also significantly different on MMPI scale 2. MMPI profiles for 79% classified as Dysfunctional and 62% classified as Interpersonally Distressed displayed psychopathology as defined by significant two-point scale elevations. Only 23% of those classified as Adaptive Copers had significant two-point MMPI scale elevations.

This study tested the hypothesis that the types of sustaining fantasy (fantasy used as a source of comfort at times of high stress) previously found to be associated with inpatient status also would be related to indications of psychopathology in a college sample (N = 124). The Sustaining Fantasy Questionnaire (SFQ; Zelin et al., 1983) provided a measure of fantasies of power/revenge, death/illness, withdrawal/protection, suffering, love/closeness, and restitution. The F scale of the MMPI and the number of MMPI clinical scales at or above 70 were used as the measures of general pathology. Results indicated that four of the hypothesized six types of fantasy-power/revenge, death/illness, withdrawal/protection, and suffering-related to psychopathology. No specific configuration of scores on the MMPI clinical scales was noted for any of these four types of fantasy.

Examination of the relationships among acculturation, racial identity, and the newly revised MMPI is warranted. This study investigated the degree to which racial identity influences Mexican-Americans' performance on the L, K, and MF scales of the MMPI-2. Also investigated were individual differences in performance on the L, K, and MF scales as a function of acculturation. Fifty-one Mexican-American undergraduates from Washington State University participated by completing an acculturation scale, a racial identity attitude scale, and the MMPI-2. Results indicated that performance on the L and K scales is influenced by racial identity attitudes and levels of acculturation, however, no evidence was found to suggest a relationship between cultural variables and performance on the MF scale.

Test results from 90 personal injury claimants were used to explore the relationship between personality disorders (Dependent, Histrionic, Compulsive, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Paranoid, Narcissistic, Borderline, Antisocial, Avoidant, and Passive-Aggressive) as assessed by the MCMI-II and response style measured by MMPI-2 validity scales (F, K, L, F-K, O-S, Es, and FBS). With the exception of the Dependent and Narcissistic scales, all personality disorder scales were found to have a significant relationship with validity indicators in the direction of faking bad. These results suggest that the presence of characterological factors (i.e., a personality disorder), rather than malingering, contributes to exaggerated results in a forensic setting. Implications for future research are addressed.

A sample of 47 Vietnam veterans with the diagnosis of combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was administered the MMPI and MMPI-2. Pairwise comparisons were performed on the clinical scales, Harris Lingoes subscales, and scales relevant to the assessment of PTSD. Correlational analyses were performed as well. Hit rates of high-point pairs were compared across the tests. The results suggest a high degree of congruence between tests. Differences were seen on evaluations of some scales between tests that may influence interpretation and treatment.

This study was a comparison of the relative diagnostic efficiency of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II, the MMPI Personality Disorder Scales, and the Personality Disorder Questionnaire-Revised. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, Axis II was used as the criterion measure. The operating characteristics of all three objective instruments revealed a high rate of false-positive diagnoses, but negative test results were generally valid. Each instrument was found to possess clinical utility in its ability to improve diagnostic efficiency over base rate predictions for most disorders. It is suggested that many of the psychometric limitations revealed in this study reflect the limitations of DSM-III-R, Axis II.

A cluster analysis was used to identify groups of inpatients with confirmed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to combat. In Study 1 the MCMI was administered to 256 subjects, in addition to the MMPI, PTSD measures, and background variables. Three clusters resulted: a Traumatic Personality (8-2), Schizoid Influence (8-2-1), and Antisocial Influence (8-6). Comparison on the MCMI symptom scales, MMPI, and PTSD scales showed that the Antisocial Influence cluster was "healthier" on all measures. The Schizoid Influence was most psychopathological. In Study 2 the MCMI-II was administered to 136 new subjects who met the same criteria as in Study 1. Four clusters resulted: Global (1-2-6A-6B-8A-8B), Subclinical (1), Aggressive (6A-6B-8A), and Detached/Self-defeating (1-2-8A-8B).

A sample of 135 Vietnam veteran inpatients with combat-related PTSD was sorted into three groups, depending upon the presence of concurrent psychiatric disorders: Depression (n = 68), Psychosis (n = 31), and Other (n = 36). Pairwise comparisons were made on the MMPI with respect to the validity indicators, clinical scales, four relevant Harris-Lingoes subscales, the Psychoticism content scale, and the MMPI-PTSD subscale. Results indicate variations in scale elevations as a function of comorbid diagnosis. Various items and scales appear to differentiate the Psychosis group due to greater psychopathology. In general, the results spotlight the heterogeneous aspects that comorbidity brings to PTSD assessment.

This study investigated the relationship of age and gender to the MMPI scores of patients with chronic pain; 1,766 patients with musculoskeletal lumbar and/or cervical pain were evaluated, using the MMPI. Multivariate analysis of variance (p < .001) revealed main effects for gender and age group variables; no interaction effects were found. For the age group variable, significant differences were found on two validity and seven clinical scales. Subjects in the 70- to 90-year age group produced the lowest scores on all scales except L, F, and MF. Linear declines across age groups, and quadratic effects were found on some scales. The authors hypothesize that developmental transitions may account in part for these findings.

This study tested the hypothesis that depression, anxiety, and bizarre thought content, as measured by MMPI-2 scales, would show a negative relationship with performance on widely used measures of executive functioning. Subjects were 70 male psychiatric patients who were ostensibly free of any neurologic disease or history of substance abuse. Correlational analyses were performed between age and education-corrected scores on the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (FAS), Design Fluency, and WISC-R Mazes, and scores on MMPI-2 scales D, PT, Anxiety, Fears, Obsessional Thinking, Depression, and Bizarre Mentation. The findings suggest that fluency and maze performance is (1) largely independent of measures of depression (D, DEP) and bizarre mentation (BIZ); (2) mildly associated with a measure of generalized anxiety (ANX); and (3) strongly related to an MMPI-2 measure of fearfulness (FRS).

Eleven personality disorder scales for the MMPI, as described in DSM-III, were derived by Morey and his colleagues from the original MMPI item pool through a combination of rational and empirical strategies. These new scales have enjoyed popularity among clinicians. Normative tables for each of these scales, with and without overlapping items, were constructed from MMPI responses from a large contemporary normal reference sample of adults and adolescents without any physical or mental handicaps who were selected randomly from a three-state area in the Midwest. Some items from the Morey Personality Disorder scales were deleted during development of the MMPI-2; separate normative tables have been prepared for the scales so affected, which allows clinicians who are using the MMPI-2 to continue to use these slightly modified scales.

The MMPI Personality Disorder scales, developed by Morey, Waugh, and Blashfield (1985), were validated on an inpatient population by comparing 104 patients' MMPI-PD scores with the MCMI and with DSM-III-R diagnosis. Conservative significance levels were used to ensure more valid conclusions. Schizoid, Avoidant, Dependent, Histrionic, and Narcissistic scales were correlated significantly. Passive-Aggressive, Schizotypal, and Borderline scales did not correlate with corresponding MCMI scales. The MMPI-PD nonoverlapping scales were most effective in predicting diagnosis, specifically the Personality Disorder NOS, Eccentric and Borderline groups. The overlapping scales were not as effective in predicting diagnosis, but best predicted the Eccentric and Borderline groups. This study provides support for the validity of specific scales and circumscribed diagnostic utility for both measures.

We compared the convergent validities of four commonly used post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) measures in 80 help-seeking Vietnam veterans by contrasting their intercorrelations. When scored as continuous severity or frequency measures, the Mississippi Scale for Combat-related PTSD's and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Interview's (PTSD-I's) concordances with other measures were similar to one anothers' and generally larger than those of either the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) PTSD module or the MMPI PTSD scale. However, when used only to identify stress disorder's presence or absence, the four techniques' concordances were nearly identical. This suggested that the four measures have similar convergent validities when used simply to identify PTSD, but that the PTSD-I and Mississippi scale offer better convergent validity than the MMPI or DIS instruments when used as severity measures.