Comparison of DWI offenders with non-DWI individuals on the MMPI-2 and the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test

Abstract

Two groups of driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) offenders with either one DWI offense or with repeat offenses were compared to a group of nonoffenders using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) and the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Demographic information was also collected regarding their prior legal history, family history, and blood alcohol level at the time of the DWI arrest. The results indicated both DWI groups had scored significantly higher than the comparison group on the K, Psychopathic Deviate (Pd) Scale, Over-Controlled Hostility (O-H) Scale, and MacAndrews Alcoholism Scale—Revised (MAC-R). The first offenders and multiple offenders did not differ significantly from one another. On the MAST, both DWI offender groups scored significantly higher than the nonoffenders. This time, however, the multiple offenders scored significantly higher than the first-offender group. Unexpectedly, the first offenders and multiple offenders did not differ with regards to blood alcohol level at the time of arrest. There were no significant differences noted with regard to prior legal history or family history of alcoholism for all three groups. These results are discussed with regard to assessment implications.