A-132 MMPI-2 Clinical Scales Relation to Acquired Brain Injury

Abstract

Abstract Objective To determine whether MMPI-2 clinical scales are related to Acquired Brain Injury(ABI) compared to Healthy individuals. Methods Participants were selected by DSM-IV diagnoses from a de-identified, archival database. The sample(n = 75) included an ABI group(n = 34, Mage = 43, Medu = 13.4, 58.8% Males, 64.7% Cau.) that have had long-term chronic traumatic brain injury(TBI) and a control group(n = 41, Mage = 33, Medu = 14.2, 63.4% Males, 58.5% Cau.). Results Independent samples t-test analysis determined statistically significant differences between groups(p ≤ .01). Results revealed increases on clinical scale-1 (hypochondriasis; t(1,73) = 2.839, p = .006), scale-2 (depression; t(1,73) = 2.628, p = .01), and scale-8 (schizophrenia; t(1,73) = 2.570, p = .01) in ABI group compared to control group. No other significant differences were found. Conclusion Research has shown that TBI’s can create neurological and emotional dysfunction. The current elevations may be residual symptoms from the TBI. Research shows as a result of having a TBI, individuals suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse, which is analogous to current findings. For instance, scale-2 relates to symptoms of depression and worry and scale-1 to somatic and health complaints. These can be indirect symptoms of a TBI, in which individuals can have persistent symptoms related to physical health leading to problems with daily functioning and ultimately producing emotional distress. Additionally, research shows that individuals with persistent TBI often present with neurocognitive deficits in attention regulation, executive functioning, and memory. This can create increases in scale-8 that shows concerns related to impaired concentration/memory, impulse control, and motor/sensory complaints. Treatment of ABI’s should not only include cognitive rehabilitation, but also individual therapy due to the impact of traumatic injury on emotional functioning.