Effects of scoring norms on adolescent psychiatric patients' MMPI profiles.

Effects of employing standard adult and age-appropriate norms on the profile elevation, patterning and classification of adolescent patients' MMPI profiles were examined. More elevated and more often psychotic profiles were obtained with adult norms. Some sex differences were observed, but patient race was not an important source of profile variation.     

Factorial analysis of the MMPI profiles of low back pain patients

To examine the interrelationships of MMPI scale scores among low back pain patients, 50 profiles were scored on the traditional 13 scales, Hanvik's Lb scale and seven subscales derived from Scales 1 and 3. The profiles were randomly divided into two equal samples and factor analyzed. Comparison of the two samples yielded three common factors. The first factor measured severity of the symptoms, the second assessed the level of anger and aggression and the third assessed the psychogenic components of the syndrome. The implications of the factors are discussed.     

MMPI characteristics of professional prostitutes: a cross-cultural replication

The personality characteristics of 41 professional prostitutes in Brussels, Belgium, were examined using either a French- or a Flemish-language version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). A comparison group of 96 nonprostitute women was recruited from among employees of an international airline. Age differences within the prostitute group were also examined. In some contrast to prior research findings, the prostitute group was significantly more deviant on several indicators of psychopathology. Also, older prostitutes were more deviant than younger ones. An appreciable number of the women in this profession are in need of psychological treatment.     

Rorschach and pain characteristics of patients with low back pain and "conversion V" MMPI profiles

Two studies examined the relationship between Rorschach determinants, MMPI scale scores, and pain reports in order to clarify the meaning of the MPI "conversion V" pattern among patients with low back pain. Study I showed that patients without demonstrable organic disease of the back produce Rorschach response summaries marked by lower F+%, lower Sum C, and higher F% than patients with demonstrable organic disease. Study 2 showed that only the increase in F% was associated with significant elevations of the MMPI Hs and Hy scales. The results suggest that elevated MMPI "conversion V" profiles are indicative of psychological disturbance among patients with low back pain. It is unlikely, however, that the disturbance is hysterical. Instead, the psychopathology is probably marked by tension and constraint rather than the over-reactivity of hysteria. The implications of these findings for diagnosis are discussed.     

MMPI profiles of problem peace officers

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profiles of officers who had been involved in serious disciplinary actions were compared with those of a matched group of officers who had not been involved in such actions. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) found the profiles of the two groups to be significantly different, with Scales F, 5, 6, and 9 significantly higher and Scale L significantly lower for the problem group. In addition, subjects in the problem group were twice as likely to have a high-point elevation T-score greater than or equal to 70 as their nonproblem counterparts. Overall, these results indicate that any degree of psychopathology, as reflected by MMPI profile elevations, increases the likelihood of serious job performance problems. In addition, a presentation of self as conventional and moderately defended is associated with a lesser likelihood of job difficulty, whereas characteristics such as hypersensitivity, impulsivity, and poor frustration tolerance contribute to significant job problems.     

Neuropsychological and MMPI correlates of patients' future employment characteristics

Previous research has suggested that patients' neuropsychological test scores correlate not only with neurologic status but also with their success in coping with some of the demands of daily living. This study investigated the utility of such laboratory test scores in predicting several vocational variables. Patients who had recieved neuropsychological evaluations were recontacted and questioned about their employment over the previous 6 mo. Of the 78 individuals who participated, 25 had been chronically unemployed. The remaining 53 were asked about job stability, hours worked, and wages earned, and were administered the Minnsota Job Requirements Questionnaire. Patients' scores on the Halstead-Reitan Battery, the WAIS and the MMPI were highly correlated with employment status (employed or chronically unemployed), income, and skills required on the jobs held. The results suggest that these tests may have clinical utility in assessing patients' employability, as well as the types of jobs for which they are suited.     

Murder and criminal responsibility: An examination of MMPI profiles

The clinical forensic applications of the MMPI in: (1) the identification of violent behavior, including murder, and (2) the determination of sanity, is briefly reviewed. Samples of evaluatees charged with murder were obtained in Chicago and Toledo, and were examined for differences on MMPI profiles for evaluatees clinically determined to be sane versus insane. Further comparisons were made between these evaluatees and a group of treated patients previously found not guilty by reason of insanity for murder. Results suggested that the MMPI is limited in its discriminability between sane and insane evaluatees, and specifically questioned the usefulness of certain profiles in rendering sanity opinions. The MMPI did demonstrate expected differences between insane evaluatees and their treated counterparts.     

MMPI profiles of adolescents charged with homicide

Study of adolescent violence has been impeded by failure to distinguish among the circumstances in which youth engage in violent behavior. The present study investigated MMPI profiles of 36 adolescent murderers and a control group of 18 adolescents charged with larceny. Homicide cases were subgrouped into those who committed homicide secondary to another crime (e.g., robbery or rape) and those who acted in the context of interpersonal conflict with the victim. While there were no significant differences between homicide and larceny groups, crime and conflict subgroups were significantly different on scales F, Hs, Hy, and Sc.     

MMPI profiles of adolescent substance abusers in treatment

The non-K-corrected MMPI profiles of 243 adolescents presenting themselves for chemical dependency treatment in a residential setting were examined. Results suggested a general lack of psychopathology in this population, although a significant elevation on the Pd scale did emerge. These data are compared to the findings of previous studies with both adolescent and adult populations.     

MMPI profiles of women in codependency treatment.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profiles of 73 women presenting themselves for treatment of codependency in a 10-day residential setting were examined. Results suggest a significant amount of psychopathology to be present in this population. More than 50% of these individuals produced clinically significant elevations of five or more scales, and 38% produced elevations on six or more scales.