MMPI Scores Research Articles

MMPI assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder among alcoholic Vietnam veterans.

One hundred Vietnam-era male veterans in a Veterans Administration. 28-day inpatient alcohol treatment program were classified into combat and noncombat groups according to whether they served in Vietnam or elsewhere during the Vietnam conflict. The MMPI scores of the two groups were compared according to a diagnostic decision-rule developed by Keane, Malloy, and Fairbank in 1984 for posttraumatic stress disorder. Chi-squared analysis showed that the combat group passed the decision-rule in significantly higher numbers than the noncombat group. The results provide evidence that the F-2-8 decision-rule to determine this diagnosis applies to alcoholic as well as nonalcoholic populations.

The sibling status effects and the personality scales of the MMPI

The purpose of this study is to find out if the personalities of siblings are similar or different. Subjects used were Doshisha University students and members of their families, provided those families had only two children. Altogether 29 pairs of boys and their younger brothers, 47 pairs of boys and their younger sisters, 44 pairs of girls and their younger brothers, and 51 pairs of girls and their younger sisters were given the MMPI individually. Sibling status effects were found in many of the MMPI scores according to the type of sibling dyads and birth order, especially for the sibling dyad of elder brother and younger sister. Personality relationships between the first and second child showed that there were significant correlations in many MMPI scales: L, K, Pd, Pa, Pt, Sc, Si, Conflict resolution, Manifest anxiety, Repression-Sensitization, and Hostility. Among the four types of sibling dyad, the pairs of girls and their younger brothers showed the highest correlation in their personality.

Natural killer cell activity and MMPI scores of a cohort of college students.

Natural killer (NK) cells are important in immune function and appear, in part, to be regulated by the CNS. The authors compared NK cell activity and MMPI scores of 111 healthy college students and found weak but statistically significant correlations between NK values and psychopathology for 10 of 12 scales. Students with the highest NK values had a "healthier" MMPI profile than those with the lowest. Students with high MMPI scores (T greater than 70) had NK values below the sample median. These findings support theories of interaction between mental state and immune status, but the mechanisms and direction of interaction remain largely unexplored.

Personality Characteristics of Volunteers in a Companion for Children Program

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the MMPI and other personal factors in predicting both the length of time the volunteer would be in the program and the quality of performance of the volunteer in a Companions for Children program. The MMPI scores of 67 volunteers, over a 2-yr. period, were evaluated. There were some significant correlations between longevity in program, specifically occupation, education, and scores on the Hysteria scale of the MMPI were negatively correlated. The staff-rated quality of the volunteers, education, and occupation were significantly correlated, as well as scores on the Psychasthenia scale of the MMPI. A forward stepwise regression, performed for longevity and rated quality, showed education, scores on the F scale, Hysteria scale, and Psychasthenia scale were the four best indicators of longevity. The best four indicators for rated quality were the F scale, Hypochondriasis scale, Schizophrenia scale, and the Social introversion-extroversion scale. Although the MMPI was a good screening device, it was not an adequate predictor of eventual longevity or quality in the program.

Color preference and MMPI scores of alcohol and drug addicts

Sixty-seven inpatients (12 women, 55 men) treated for alcohol and drug abuse were administered the MMPI and Luescher Color Test (LCT); as required by the test manual, the interpretations are based on a second LCT administration. Scores on Luescher's scales were unrelated to MMPI scores. The rank order of relative preference for each of the 8 LCT cards also was unrelated to MMPI scores. Older patients more often preferred brown and less often black. Female patients showed more preference for purple. The group of patients showed more preference for brown than a control group of 20 normal adults (3 women, 17 men) and also obtained higher (i.e., presumably more pathological) scores on Luescher's total score scale and compensation scale.

Estimation of MMPI scale scores from an improved comprehensibility short form.

Equations were derived for estimating MMPI scores from a short form that was developed for cognitively impaired individuals. Multiple regression analyses of the data on 300 patients demonstrated that prediction from a single short-form scale was acceptable and was little improved by the addition of other scales or sex of subject to the prediction equation. Substitution equations were constructed, and correlations of short-form scales with the full MMPI ranged from .82 to .96 with a median of .91.

Tension headaches: relation between MMPI paranoïa score and pain and between MMPI hypochondriasis score and frontalis EMG.

SYNOPSISThe relation between MMPI, frontal EMG and pain is examined in 25 subjects with tension headaches. Our results point to an association between high levels of weekly pain and high paranoïa scores (p < .01) but fail to confirm previous reports on the correlation of pain with hypochondriasis, depression and hysteria. This finding is discussed in terms of a reciprocal pain/personality relation. The results also show that the only correlation to be found for frontal EMG is that with hypochondriasis MMPI scores (p < .01).

Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder with relaxation and biofeedback training

This study investigated the use of biofeedback and relaxation training on six patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) referred routinely for biofeedback treatment in a VA medical center. Subjects received between 8 and 14 sessions of training overall, as well as concurrent individual and group therapy. Measures used to assess treatment outcome include pre- and posttreatment MMPI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scores, as well as electromyographic and subjective measures of tension within each session. Additionally, an overall posttreatment clinical rating of change and 1- to 2-year follow-up data were obtained for each subject. Slight to marked improvements were demonstrated for each subject, as evidenced by improvements on the State Anxiety Inventory Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory, a decrease in overall MMPI scores, and lowered EMG and subjective tension ratings for all participants. Possible alternative explanations for improvement (situational demand characteristics, regression toward the mean, lack of independent subject evaluation) are described, along with other study limitations. This preliminary investigation suggests that the use of relaxation training and biofeedback may be a particularly useful component within a comprehensive treatment program for this disorder.

The Holistic Living Inventory: correlations with MMPI.

Scores on the Holistic Living Inventory were correlated with MMPI scores for 129 college students. The results support validity for the Holistic Living Inventory.

Alcohol use and psychopathology in opioid addicts on methadone maintenance.

The occurrence of alcohol problems in opiate addicts on methadone maintenance presents a serious challenge for treatment. Dually addicted patients have a higher incidence of medical and psychiatric complications, consume large amounts of staff and treatment resources, and often exit treatment through administrative detoxification. Yet, little is known about differences in psychopathology between this group and other opioid addicts. This paper summarizes data for 166 male opioid addicts receiving methadone treatment. Alcohol problems were identified, and the relationship between dual addiction and psychopathology was explored. In the first phase of the study the MMPI and Brief MAST (Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test) were administered to 91 subjects. Comparison of Brief MAST scores with program counselors' judgments of the presence or absence of an alcohol problem showed a significant relationship. Cluster analysis of MMPI scores generated three groups. The clusters had significantly different mean MAST scores with the normal cluster having the least indication of alcohol problems, the neurotic cluster intermediate, and the schizoid cluster the greatest indication of problematic alcohol consumption. The second phase of the study with another 75 subjects replicated the relationship between cluster membership and MAST score. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) was also administered to these subjects, and high correlations between Brief MAST and ASI alcohol problem measures were found. Within-treatment outcome data on a number of measures were then collected for 1 year. Problem drinking severity was negatively related to employment status and positively related to number of random urinalyses indicating illicit drug use. Implication of these findings for refining treatment strategies are discussed.

Interpretation of moderately elevated MMPI scores for normal subjects.

Two opposing views concerning the interpretation of moderately elevated MMPI scores of normal subjects have appeared in the literature. Whereas some authors have suggested that such scores indicate negative characteristics less severe than those suggested by more extremely elevated scores for psychiatric patients, other authors have suggested that such scores may be indicative of more positive characteristics. The present study attempted to determine the relative validity of these two opposing views. Correlates of MMPI clinical scales were determined for 101 male and 101 female college students who had no clinical T-score greater than 75. Subjects described themselves using the Adjective Check List (ACL), and they were also described by peers using the ACL. Point-biserial correlations between MMPI scores and self and peer endorsements on the ACL were computed. For both self and peer data more significant correlations were found than expected by chance. Most of the correlates involved negative characteristics, offering some support for the interpretive approach based on an attenuation of negative descriptors derived for psychiatric patient samples.

Personality mechanisms of alcohol-related violence.

Personality variables involved in alcohol-related violence were studied by comparing MMPI scores of four different groups (N = 259): (1) men who committed murder while intoxicated (violent while intoxicated condition); (2) men who committed murder while sober (violent while sober condition); (3) those who were admitted to a psychiatric unit with a nonalcohol and nonviolence related problem (nonviolent and nonintoxicated condition); and (4) those admitted to a detoxification unit with no evidence of violence prior to admission (nonviolent but intoxicated condition). The violent groups were found to be more paranoid but less manic than the nonviolent groups. Men who commit murder while sober tend to be less interpersonally sensitive (low MF scores) but more psychopathic (high PD scores) than those who commit murder while intoxicated. Those who commit murder while intoxicated tend to be less psychologically minded (high L scores) than those who become intoxicated but who do not kill. Suggestions for prevention and treatment of violence and future research directions are proposed in light of these results.

MMPI correlates of verbal-intellectual deficits in patients with left hemisphere lesions.

This study investigated the emotional adjustment of patients (N = 31) with left hemisphere damage (LHD) as a function of the degree of impairment in verbal intelligence as measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. A multivariate comparison was made of the composite MMPI profiles of three groups of LHD patients classified according to Verbal IQ. The three groups produced fairly similar composite profiles, which indicated the presence of mild dysphoria, dissatisfaction, withdrawal, decreased initiative, and mild somatic preoccupations. Significant correlations emerged between the degree of verbal-intellectual disability and MMPI F, PT, SC, and SI. However, when the variance in MMPI scores due to premorbid status (education) was partialled out, these correlations dropped to nonsignificant levels. These findings failed to support previous studies that linked verbal deficits with emotional disturbance, and they underscore the importance of premorbid intelligence in the psychological adjustment to organic impairment.

Effects of parent loss: interaction with family size and sibling order.

The authors studied the effect of parent loss during the first 18 years of life and its interactions with family size and sibling order in a nonpsychiatric population of 247 men. Groups defined by loss type, family size, and sibling order were compared using MMPI scale scores. The results strongly suggest that parent loss and family size and their interaction have an important impact on adult personality traits as measured by MMPI scores. The strong adverse impact of intermittent loss and temporary loss in large families (much greater than that of permanent loss) is a crucial finding not previously noted in the literature.

The Development and Cross-Validation of an MMPI Typology of Murderers

A sample of 80 male offenders charged with premeditated murder were divided into five personality types using MMPI scores. A hierarchical clustering procedure was used with a subsequent internal cross-validation analysis using a second sample of 80 premeditated murderers. A Discriminant Analysis resulted in a 96.25% correct classification of subjects from the second sample into the five types. Clinical data from a mental status interview schedule supported the external validity of these types. There were significant differences among the five types in hallucinations, disorientation, hostility, depression, and paranoid thinking. Both similarities and differences of the present typology with prior research was discussed. Additional research questions were suggested.

Prerelease Stress in Prison Inmates

Abstract This study concerns the phenomenon of prerelease stress in inmates at a minimum security, Federal Correctional Institution. While much anecdotal evidence exists to support the belief that inmates soon to be released from custody have increased susceptibility to stress-related behavior disorders, few research studies have been conducted to formally substantiate this belief. This study attempts to document the existence and behavioral manifestations of behavior measures and prerelease stress through the use of MMPI scores, behavioral measures and a Likert type, multiple-item Mood States Questionnaire (MSQ). Ninety-eight male and female inmates were classified as either “short” or “long” depending on the time remaining on their sentence. Study results suggest that prerelease stress exists in a certain number of inmates and that additional research is needed lo more precisely determine other variables associated with susceptibility to this type of stress.

A Comparison of Father-Daughter and Stepfather-Stepdaughter Incest

Characteristics of father-daughter and stepfather-stepdaughter incest were compared using historical data, demographic information, and MMPI scores from 42 cases of child sexual abuse. The same cases also were used to compare attributes of incest involving younger and older daughters/stepdaughters. There was no systematic difference across types of incest, either in terms of offender attributes or specific characteristics of the incestuous relationships. In general, all offender groups appeared to have a fairly adequate level of overall functioning.

Es scale level and correlates of MMPI elevation: alcohol abuse vs. MMPI scores in treated alcoholics.

Examined the impact of MMPI Ego Strength (Es) level on the size of Pearson correlation coefficients computed between scores for posttreatment alcohol use and MMPI scores on standard and research scales and indices in a group of 54 (45 men, 9 women, mean age 41.3 years) treated alcoholics. In line with theoretical expectations, no significant (p greater than .05) coefficients were found in the group of high Es scorers (T scores above 50; N = 30) for any of the MMPI variables. In contrast, about one-half of the coefficients in the low Es group (T scores below 50; N = 24) were significant (p less than or equal to .05): All were in the expected direction; the more intensive the alcohol use, the higher the MMPI scores. The low and high Es groups did not significantly differ in respect to age, education, gender ratio, and posttreatment alcohol use (t-tests, p greater than .05).

Effects of program characteristics on treatment outcome: an interrupted time-series analysis.

The methodological difficulties in comparing the effectiveness of alternative alcoholism treatment programs were addressed. An interrupted time-series design and MMPI scores were employed with 408 men veterans to test the effectiveness of four changes in an 8-week inpatient alcoholism treatment program: The program was given its own ward; the amount of time patients spent in common activities was increased; the staff: patient ratio was improved; and contract with the outside community was broadened. The scores of MMPI tests administered at treatment termination were available for the periods of 3 yr prior to and 3 yr after the change. The results of the time-series analysis indicated that the new program was indeed more effective than the old one because nine of the 13 subscales used and the Disturbance Index (a weighted combination of all the subscales) showed a reliable decline coincident with the introduction of the new program. However, the results also showed most of these effects to be short-lived. Implications of these results and issues involved in implementing this design are discussed.

Reassessment of inferring personality traits from Bender-Gestalt drawing styles.

Fifty patients with closure difficulty on the Bender-Gestalt and 50 patients with edging tendencies on the Bender Gestalt were assessed for possible personality traits associated with those drawing styles. Patients with and without the drawing styles were compared using MMPI data. Patients who drew along the edge of the paper showed no significant difference in MMPI scores when compared to non-edgers. Patients with closure difficulty were significantly higher on Scale O of the MMPI than were the non-closure difficulty patients. The difference was not considered to be interpretatively important.