MMPI Characteristics of Drug Abusers With and Without Histories of Suicide Attempts

Compared to drug addicts without histories of suicidal attempt (n = 50), drug addicts who have attempted suicide (n = 50) were characterized by higher levels of maladjustment—particularly in the areas of depression, feelings of alienation, and use of projection and externalization—and were more emotionally withdrawn. Certain Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) codetypes appeared in the attempt group that were not present in the no history group. Drug addicts with suicidal ideation but no history of attempt (n = 13) were not significantly different from the other two groups, and their inclusion as a comparison group masked the real differences between the other two groups. The MMPI results suggest it may be possible to identify a suicide attempt group in substance abusers but not when contrasted with a suicidal ideation group. Treatment implications are considered.     

The MMPI,Prototypal Typology,and Borderline Personality Disorder

This study demonstrates inherent features in the DSM-III diagnostic criteria for personality disorders (i.e., overlapping diagnoses and heterogeneous symptomatology) that limit efforts to identify a sensitive and specific MMPI profile for the borderline personality disorder. A sample of 71 inpatients was administered an MMPI and a semistructured interview that systematically evaluated each of 81 symptoms for the 11 DSM-III personality disorders. Interrater reliability was substantially higher than has been obtained with unstructured interviews. The effect on the borderline MMPI profile of (a) variation in the number of borderline symptoms and (b) overlap with the schizotypal, histrionic, and antisocial diagnoses was demonstrated. We discuss implications with respect to a prototypal model of classification.     

Financing A Voucher Program for Cocaine Abusers Through Community Donations in Spain

This study analyzed the viability of financing a voucher program for cocaine addicts in Spain through public and private donations. Of the 136 companies contacted, 52 (38%) provided donations. The difference between the benefits (15,670€/$20,371) and the costs (3,734€/$4,854) was 11,936€/$15,517. The type of reinforcer a company can offer, the size of the company, and the time elapsed before responding may be determining variables in a company''s decision whether to collaborate.     

An Empirical Typology of Dyadic Formation

The background of and justification for empirical typologies are outlined. Various family typologies are discussed. Data from a random sample of 291 couples are subjected to a cluster analysis on the dyadic interaction, dyadic preference, dyadic stability, and identification as a pair by others of the couple. Seven types of dyadic formation were found: Uncommitted; Structurally Isolated, Wife-Supported; Self-Selected Committed; Structurally Committed; Vital; Unformed; and Wife-Removed. The types are shown to differ on value consensus and couple happiness, as well as on some background factors. The contribution of the work to theories of dyadic formation and family typologies is discussed.     

Personality Characteristics of Substance Abusers: An MCMI Cluster Typology of Recreational Drug Users Treated in a Therapeutic Community and Its Relationship to Length of Stay and Outcome

The purpose of this investigation was to define homogeneous personality subtypes among substance abusers treated in a long-term, inpatient, drug-free therapeutic community and to determine how the resulting typology was related to length of stay and treatment outcome, A hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis was performed on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) scale scores of 235 admissions to a therapeutic community. Five cluster types emerged,, which were similar to typologies found in studies with alcoholic inpatients. A concordant solution evolved when a different clustering algorithm was used with the same sample and when clustering was done with a different group of substance abusers. As hypothesized, clusters of patients with average MCMI elevations that indicated avoidant, schizoid, and antisocial qualities tended to stay in treatment fewer days and relapsed earlier during the 1-year follow-up. The implications, for substance abuse treatment are discussed.     

An MMPI typology of cocaine abusers.

Three types were found in a cluster analysis of scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) of 100 men voluntarily presenting for treatment of cocaine abuse. Type 1 (n = 59) had a mean MMPI profile consistent with the hypothesized grouping of persons who self-medicate with cocaine as a means of overcoming depression. The relatively normal mean MMPI profile obtained by Type 2 (n = 37) suggested little indication of significant psychopathology. Type 3's (n = 4) mean MMPI profile suggested either severe disturbance or profile invalidity. Types were found to differ in the nature of drug use, reactions to cocaine, education level, and social class, but not on the scales of the Adjective Check List.     

An MMPI Comparison of Two Groups of Institutionalized Delinquents

Two independent studies compared the MMPI performance of 2 groups of matched institutionalized delinquent boys, those who caused trouble in dormitories (SSs) and those who did not (GGs). In the 1st study, Scale 4 was the only statistically significant scale. Cross-validation found no scales statistically significant. Nineteen items which discriminated between SSs and GGs in the 1st study did not hold up in the cross-validation study. It is concluded that the MMPI has questionable value in discriminating between different levels and types of delinquents.     

An empirical classification of non-violent offenders using the MMPI

MMPI protocols of 87 non-violent male offenders were cluster analysed on eight experimental scales. Four clusters emerged. These were compared with the findings from 105 prisoners with convictions for violence. Clusters tended to be similar across the two samples with the exception of the ‘Inhibited’ offender. This non-violent group tended to be less psychiatrically disturbed, as well as less introverted, anxious and hostile than its corresponding violent cluster.     

药物滥用者健康认知与维护行为的实证研究

参考健康信念模式自行设计结构式问卷调查,以药物滥用者为研究对象,运用双变项分析检定不同健康信念之疾病认知的就医行为是否有差异。自觉严重性与自觉障碍性药物滥用者就医意愿差异有统计学意义（χ²=28.0,P＜0.001）。自觉严重性与自觉障碍性越低且无社会保险的药物滥用者,其就医意愿则越低（χ²=47.807,P＜0.001）。劳动力人口中,毒品花费越高和第一次接触毒品年龄越大的药物滥用者,其就医花费亦越高（r=0.522,P＜0.001）。加强药物滥用者对疾病的认知提升其求医行为、降低疾病感染率,增加就医管道避免疾病恶化造成社会资源浪费,以供后续政策拟定与医疗质量改善之参考依据。

     

An Exploration of Stigma in the Lives of Sex Offenders and Heroin Abusers

Research was conducted on variations and commonalities of sexual offenders and heroin abusers and how they manage stigma in their everyday lives. Interviews with 13 sex offenders (SOs) and 44 heroin abusers (HAs) were conducted in New York City. Results suggest that both SOs and HAs disclose or conceal their stigmatized status based on their relationship to others and the situations in which they anticipate social condemnation. Both groups have formed intra-group hierarchies based on status, where child molesters and heroin abusers receive the most disdain. Some heroin abusers manage their stigma by engaging in behavior that we term redemptive passing, in which stigmatized individuals attempt to pass as non-stigmatized through deceptive means in order to make amends for prior harms they have caused. The stigmatization of sex offenders and heroin abusers has important implications for health, as members of these groups are less likely to seek treatment in order to distance themselves from their stigmatizing status.     

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.     

Multiracial Congregations: An Analysis of Their Development and a Typology

Although the overwhelming majority of religious congregations consist of members who share the same racial background, there are a significant number of multiracial congregations in the United States. We begin with an analysis of why most congregations remain uniracial despite racial integration in other institutions. Then, based on our two-year national study, we examine the key variables underlying the development of multiracial congregations. Specifically, we consider the primary impetus for change and the source of racial diversification. Based on the analysis of how some congregations have become multiracial, we present a typology of multiracial congregations. We find seven main types. It is our hope that the typology and analysis will illuminate the effects of racial diversity on the life cycle of congregations and serve as a useful framework to guide future studies of multiracial congregations. Ultimately, we intend this article to facilitate the development of formal theory and research on the genesis and sustainability of multiracial congregations. To that end, we conclude the article by offering hypotheses suggested by the typology and its underlying causes.