ABSTRACT
The MMPI and MMPI-2 were compared as predictors of psychiatric diagnosis in 100 male and 100 female outpatients who completed the test items in a single session. Test profiles and the clinical diagnosis were grouped into five categories (normal, neurotic, character disordered, psychotic, and other). The MMPI and MMPI-2 code types were in the same category in 75% of the cases. Both the MMPI and MMPI-2 had a 39% agreement rate with category of clinical diagnosis (p < .0001). Discriminant function analyses based on Scales L, F, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 accounted for significant variance in diagnostic group, (p < .02), and two functions correctly classified 49% and 50% of the cases for the MMPI and MMPI-2, respectively. The rate of correct classification for normals was more than 70%. The rate of correct classification for psychotics was 55% for the MMPI and 30% for the MMPI-2. For both the MMPI and MMPI-2, it appears important not to rely on test findings alone as a basis for diagnostic decisions.
Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care , MMPI/standards , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Adult , Comorbidity , Female , Humans , MMPI/statistics & numerical data , Male , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Substance-Related Disorders/diagnosis , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Two hundred (N = 200) outpatients completed MMPI (W.G. Dahlstrom, Walsh, & L.G. Dahlstrom, 1989) and MMPI-2 (Butcher, W.G. Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) items at one time, permitting comparison of alternate forms. The concordance rate for elevated codetypes was 58%; for 2-point codetypes independent of elevation, it was also 58%. Only 50% of the men compared to 66% of the women showed concordance between forms. Of the 200 cases, 72 (36%) had codetypes that were both elevated and "well defined." The concordance rate among these 71 cases was 72%. Comparison of mean raw scores for the validity and clinical scales showed a small difference for MMPI versus MMPI-2 (Form) on Scales 2 and 5, small differences for Gender on Scales 1, 2, and 3, and no Gender by Form interactions. There were significant MMPI versus MMPI-2 differences for T-scores on all scales, and there were significant Gender by Form interactions for T-scores on all scales except Scale L, Scale K, and Scale 6 (excluding Scale 5). Comparison of mean T-scores (excluding Scale 5) showed no significant differences for Gender on the 12 scales. In spite of significant mean differences, correlational analyses show correlations above .96 for the raw scores and T-scores for each gender, indicating that rank ordering of cases is maintained between forms. These results are discussed in terms of the issues for use of the MMPI-2 compared to the MMPI.
Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care , MMPI/statistics & numerical data , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Adult , Female , Humans , MMPI/standards , Male , Mental Disorders/classification , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Sex Factors , Terminology as TopicABSTRACT
The examination of child witnesses in cases of sexual molestation involves complexities at psychological and legal levels and requires rigorous analysis and assessment to safeguard the rights and interests of the alleged victim and of the accused. Legal, procedural, and psychological issues are reviewed, and a methodological strategy for the investigation and evaluation of child sexual molestation is outlined.
