MMPI‐2 based classification of forensic psychiatric outpatients: An exploratory cluster analytic study

Abstract

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and now the MMPI-2, are the most widely researched personality assessment tools in correctional and related forensic settings (MMPI; Hathaway & McKinley, 1940; MMPI-2; Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989). Using the original MMPI, Megargee (1977a) and colleagues (Megargee & Bohn, 1977; Megargee & Dorhout, 1977) developed an extensive and meaningful classification system for correctional inmates. However, few studies, with the exception of Toch and Adams (1994) cluster analytic study of emotionally disturbed violent offenders, have explored possibilities of a statistically derived categorical classification paradigm within the growing population of forensic psychiatric patients awaiting discharge into the community (Bannatyne, 1996). The present exploratory study investigates the utility of a commonly employed and replicable cluster analytic method in establishing an MMPI-2-based categorical classification system within a substantial forensic psychiatric outpatient sample (N = 300). Here, we present results of a seven-cluster solution, augmented by contemporaneous Rorschach inkblot data utilizing Exner's Comprehensive System (Exner, 1991; Exner et al., 1995). Descriptive cluster characteristics are provided along with potential clinical correlates in an attempt to move closer to the goal of pairing informed assessment with effective treatment in this growing, but unique, population.

Assessing Antisocial and Psychopathic Personalities

“…In their original sample of 1,214 federal inmates, 96% of the MMPI profiles could be assigned to one of their 10 subtypes. Early research supported the typology's concurrent validity (Booth & Howell, 1983;DiFrancesca & Meloy, 1989;Hutton, Miner, & Langfeldt, 1993;Nieberding et al, 2003), but questioned its predictive validity (Louscher, Hosford, & Moss, 1983). The revised typology represents a substantial improvement, and classifies 95% of inmates across 10 neutrally worded types (Able, Baker, Charlie, etc.).…”

Clinical significance of long-term psychoanalytic treatment

“…The MMPI-2 (Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen & Kaemmer, 1989), a 567-item self-report questionnaire, aims to quantitatively measure an individual's level of emotional adjustment and attitude toward test taking, resulting in clusters of personality variables (Groth-Marnat, 1997). In concordance with other research on the MMPI-2, we did not use scale 5-Masculinity-Femininity (Mf), because this scale is usually not considered as a clinical scale that measures psychopathology (e.g., Nieberding et al, 2003;Terlidou et al, 2004). Derksen, de Mey, Sloore, and Hellenbosch (2006) translated the MMPI-2 and developed norms for use in the Netherlands.…”

Identifying clinical cases among patients assigned to psychoanalytic treatment

“…In concordance with other research, we used eight clinical scales, because scales 5-Masculinity-Femininity (Mf) and 0-Social Introversion (Si) are usually not considered as clinical scales (Nieberding et al, 2003;Terlidou et al, 2004). Derksen, de Mey, Sloore, and Hellenbosch (2006) translated the MMPI-2 and developed norms for use in the Netherlands.…”