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The validities of six MMPI repression scales were compared using each of the other five and an independent measure as criteria (N = 190). The data gave little support to the Eichman, Welsh, and Haan Repression scales as operational definitions of this construct. The results for the Little-Fisher Denial, Byrne et al. R-S, and Haan Denial scales showed more promise.
Twenty-five closed-head-injured adults (24 males, 1 female; M age = 28.8 years) were classified as "recovered" if they had returned to work, school, or a sheltered workshop for which pay was received and "non-recovered" if they did not meet these criteria. Current status was compared with MMPI, Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS), and "Quality of Life" Rating Scale (QLRS) scores at time of entry into a rehabilitation program. The "non-recovered" group was significantly higher on the PD (Psychopathic deviate) scale. No differences were found between groups on the Sc (Schizophrenia) or K (Validity) scales. The "recovered" group was significantly higher on the ABS Economic Activity domain and significantly lower in the Violent & Destructive, Antisocial, Rebelliousness, Untrustworthiness, Stereotyped Behavior & Odd Mannerisms, and Psychological Disturbance behavior domains. The self-ratings (QLRS) of the "nonrecovered" subjects were significantly more distinct from the ratings made by their relatives or significant others than were those of the "recovered" subjects.
A preliminary investigation of the external validity of MMPI scales designed to measure certain DSM-III Personality disorders (N = 108) is reported. Results indicate that many of these scales are effective for discriminating clinically diagnosed personality disorders from control subjects (N = 640).
This study examined the item subtlety-face validity issue by comparing MMPI Depression scale items rated in terms of psychopathology-in-general vs. specific depression criteria. The study also evaluated the influence of number of definitional descriptors and the meaning attributed to the neutral rating. Results showed substantial correlations among ratings obtained by different procedures, but many differences in subtle-neutral-obvious classifications. Number of descriptors did not effect ratings, although these results might not be found for less familiar constructs. Most raters took "neutral" to mean unrelated. These findings suggest that the inconsistencies in this research area are related to definitional problems and methodological ambiguities.
MMPI-168 profiles were obtained on 225 male narcotic addicts who were attending methadone maintenance clinics in Baltimore and New York City during 1983 and 1984. Data were collected on Black and White (Anglo, other than Hispanic) addicts in Baltimore and on Black, Hispanic, and White addicts in New York City. In general, the profiles indicated high levels of psychopathology, with particularly high elevations on the F, D, PD, PT, and Sc scales. Consistent across cities and in agreement with earlier findings, profiles of Whites indicated somewhat more maladjustment than those for Blacks, while the profiles of Hispanics displayed essentially the same levels of disturbance as those for Whites. Comparisons by city revealed greater deviance for New York City subjects, a finding more evident among Whites than among Blacks.
Several classification systems have been developed to identify subgroups of criminals. Recently, investigations have attempted to derive empirical classifications of specific types of offenders. The present study investigated the occurrence of MMPI profile subgroups in a sample of incarcerated homicide offenders. One hundred and eighteen convicted male homicide offenders were the subjects. MMPIs were collected as a part of evaluations to determine eligibility for a work release program. Results identified four distinct profile subgroups, which ranged in levels of psychopathology from normal to severely disturbed. Subgroups are discussed with reference to previous research and the development of a taxonomic system for homicide offenders.
This study examined the efficacy of the Schizophrenic-Organicity (Sc-O), Psychiatric-Organic (P-O), the Pseudo-Neurological (P-N), and the Schizophrenia (Sc) MMPI subscales in differentiating the following four groups of outpatients: brain-damaged (n = 35), brain-damaged schizophrenics (n = 10), non-brain-damaged schizophrenics (n = 15), and somatoform disorders (n = 45). Both unmatched and matched samples were used in the analysis, and cut-off scores were obtained. In an unmatched sample, results suggested that the Sc scale was useful in differentiating brain-damaged schizophrenics from brain-damaged and somatoform disorders. With matched samples, the Sc differentiated brain-damaged schizophrenics well from other clinical groups, while the P-O scale differentiated the non-brain-damaged schizophrenics from brain-damaged and somatoform disorders. Furthermore, the P-N scale discriminated brain-damaged schizophrenics from non-brain-damaged schizophrenics, while the Sc-O scale was no longer significant. Results suggest that caution should be used in generalizing from previous studies (which used inpatient samples) to outpatient populations.
The concepts nonresponsivity (stimulus avoidance) and content responsive faking (dissimulation) are reviewed and sharply distinguished for their implications for MMPI validity. Although conventional validity scales and indices may be sensitive to content responsive faking, these measures are poorly suited for assessing content nonresponsivity, which is better evaluated with reference to the consistency of item endorsements. A set of rationally derived decisions rules for evaluating content nonresponsivity is presented and investigated empirically. In three studies, each of which compares psychiatric patients with a different set of computer-generated data, the performance of the decision rules and the consistency measures that comprise them was generally superior to traditional measures. The use of consistency-based invalidity criteria is recommended for both clinical and research purposes.
Two methods of grouping MMPI scales were employed with 271 patients who were attending a Back Clinic at a university hospital. One method involved clinically derived decision rules, while the other utilized a multivariate clustering procedure. Five subgroups of patients were identified with each method. Both procedures showed subgroup differences in terms of pretreatment pain intensity, activity limitations, McGill affective scores, and physician ratings of degree of functional impairment; the elevated subgroups showed more dysfunction. Follow-up comparisons revealed that, regardless of the classification procedure used, the elevated subgroups showed poorer response to treatment. Only the clinically derived groupings had significant differences in chronicity of pain and total scores on the McGill Pain Questionnaire. On the other hand, only the statistically based system showed significant differences on age and marital status. Furthermore, only the statistical system identified subgroups of male patients that predicted followup pain intensity decreases in a manner that indicated clinical usefulness.
This research was designed to clarify several issues surrounding the assessment of MMPI item subtlety. Experiment 1 asked 30 college undergraduates to define hysteria and paranoia. Results showed that 17% of the descriptions given for hysteria agreed with professional definitions, while 58% of the descriptions given for paranoia were accurate. Experiment 2 had 60 other college students rate Hy and Pa items on a subtle-obvious dimension with half the subjects receiving short definitions of the construct and half long definitions. Results showed that the additional descriptors had little effect on the classification of items as subtle, neutral or obvious regardless of scale. Correlation between these ratings derived from the scale-specific format and those obtained from a general psychopathology point of view were in the .70's for both Hy and Pa. The less familiar Hy items were significantly differentiated from Christian et al.'s (1978) ratings while the more familiar Pa items were not. How subtlety should be defined depends on the questions being asked.
The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) is a recently introduced instrument designed to measure both symptomatology and long-standing patterns of personality disorder in clinical populations. Because it is designed to assess clients who are similar to those with whom the MMPI is often used (e.g., adjudicated offenders), a question may arise as to whether the two instruments measure the same aspects of clients' function. This study investigated this question by conducting a combined factor analysis of the two instruments in a criminal offender population (N = 2,245). Results indicated that although there are important areas of overlap between the two instruments, each also contains unique sources of variance. The results are interpreted as supporting the use of both instruments as part of an objective assessment battery, as has been suggested by several authors.
Renal failure has both medical and psychological implications. Indeed, various psychiatric problems related to end-stage renal disease have been reported in the literature; however, the focus has been on anxiety and depression. While previous research has dealt with the comparisons of patients with renal failure, few studies have investigated the comparison of renal patients with psychiatric and general medical patients. The present study compared renal patients (N = 24) with a group of depressed psychiatric patients (N = 24) and a group of general medical patients (N = 24) on the MMPI. The results suggested that the renal group presented a psychological profile that more closely resembled that of the depressed psychiatric group than that of patients with other chronic medical conditions.
MMPI files of 1,016 prior patients were searched for protocols with two-point codes that involved scale 5. Sixty-one such protocols were found; these accounted for 6% of the sample. Salient characteristics of the cases were noted, and composite descriptions were developed for each of the code types. An additional 22 cases were located over the next 2 years in response to my requests for such profiles. Base rates from the original sample, as well as descriptive statistics and composite descriptions from the extended sample, are provided for each of the eight code types with the exception of the 5-0/0-5 code, which will be presented elsewhere.
The correlations of the Keane, Malloy, and Fairbank (1984) MMPI PTSD scale with DSM-III-based post-traumatic stress disorder symptom, section, and factor score ratings, and with combat history, were studied to determine what aspects of the disturbance it measures (N = 61). The scale's correlations with the various symptom criteria were both substantial and strikingly consistent. However, its relationships with trauma history measures were modest and frequently nonsignificant. The data suggest that the scale is a moderately strong measure of the various PTSD symptoms, but is related only weakly to trauma history.
This study investigated the ability of the MacAndrew Alcoholism (MAC) Scale to distinguish between alcoholics and nonalcoholics using self-ratings from patrons of taverns (N = 128); while only about 14% of the variance in the MAC Scale was accounted for by the self-rating (alcoholic/nonalcoholic) scale, the MAC Scale correctly identified 70% of those who reported alcohol use to levels consistent with alcoholic dependency after variance in the alcohol use scale attributable to the L and K scales of the MMPI was accounted for.
This study presents data on the effect of different methods of correct feedback on judge accuracy on the identification of neurosis or psychosis from MMPI profile patterns by moderately experienced judges (N = 22). Concurrent correct feedback is contrasted with correct feedback obtained by application of a configural rule system, as well as results from the application of a statistical equation. Implications for improving performance of judges are discussed.
Finn's (1986) two second-order MMPI factors, based on the factor scales of Johnson, Butcher, Null, and Johnson (1984), were examined in a psychiatric sample (N = 2,027) by a confirmatory factor analytic procedure. The two-factor model was rejected in the psychiatric sample, and a three-factor model was derived using exploratory factor analysis. An Anti-social factor was present in the current study, but not in that of Finn (1986). The similarities between the second-order factors identified in this study and other factor analyses, including Finn's (1986), also are discussed.
MMPI files of 1,016 psychiatric patients were searched for protocols with two-point codes that involved scale 0. Thirty-eight such protocols were found, which accounted for 3.7% of the sample. Salient characteristics of the cases were noted, and composite descriptions were developed for each of the code types. An additional 14 new outpatient cases from our clinic were located over the next 2 years. Base rates from the original sample, as well as descriptive statistics and composite descriptions from the extended sample, are provided for each of the eight code types.