MMPI-2 Patterns in Electrical Injury: A Controlled Investigation

Abstract

The psychological consequences of electrical injury (EI) are many. Depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and somatic preoccupation are often concomitant with this type of injury (Kelley, Pliskin, Meyer, & Lee, 1994). The present study utilized the MMPI-2 as a tool for characterizing profiles of psychological distress in EI. We examined MMPI-2 profiles in 79 EI patients and their relationship to both injury parameters (i.e., time since injury, LOC, voltage), and extra-diagnostic factors, such as litigation status. EI patient profiles were also compared to individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), and chronic pain sufferers (CP). Results indicated that in EI, clinical elevations (T ≥ 65) were found on the Hs and Hy scales, and approached clinical levels on the D scale. The injury parameter of time since injury was predictive of a distinctive profile, with individuals in the post acute phase experiencing more distress. Compared to other clinical groups, MMPI-2 scores on the Hs and Hy scales were significantly higher within the EI cohort as compared with their CP peers, with higher scores on the Pd scale for CP than EI. No statistically significant differences emerged between the EI and TBI groups. However, TBI patients showed significant elevations on Hy and D compared to CP, and EI patients endorsed more somatic symptoms than CP patients. Implications of these findings and future directions will be discussed.