MMPI-2 patterns in electrical injury: a controlled investigation.

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 > or = 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.

Generalization effects of coping-skills training: influence of self-defense training on women's efficacy beliefs, assertiveness, and aggression.

Concern for personal safety is a pervasive stressor for many women. Developing competencies in physical self-defense may empower women to engage more freely in daily activities with less fear. This study assessed the effects of physical self-defense training on multiple aspects of women's perceived self-efficacy and other self-reported personality characteristics. Training powerfully increased task-specific (self-defense) efficacy beliefs as well as physical and global efficacy beliefs. Training increased self-reported assertiveness, and posttraining decreases in hostility and aggression were found on several of the subscales of The Aggression Questionnaire (A. H. Buss & M. Perry, 1992), indicating that training did not have an aggression-disinhibiting effect. In the experimental condition, most of the effects were maintained (and some delayed effects appeared at follow-up.