MMPI Special Scale Clinical Correlates for Adolescent Inpatients

Abstract

Little research has focused on the clinical correlates of adolescents' Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) special scale responses. We investigated the clinical correlates of the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale (MAC), Anxiety (A), Repression (R), and Ego Strength (Es) scales, based on self-reported data from 68 inpatient adolescents and ratings by their nursing staff and individual therapists. Parametric and nonparametric analyses revealed patterns of clinically relevant descriptors for these scales in a manner largely consistent with findings derived from studies of adult respondents. Results are discussed in terms of implications for interpretation of each of these special scales and in relation to a general approach to understanding adolescents' MMPI profiles.

The Impact of Repression, Hostility, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on All-Cause Mortality

“…In this regard, it has been noted that the repression literature has suffered from a lack of conceptual clarity (Horowitz et al, 1990; Singer and Sincoff, 1990). Although the WRS has been widely used in research (Archer et al, 1989; Dahlstrom et al, 1972; 1975; Goldwater & Collis, 1985; Greene, 1991; Persky et al, 1987; Welsh, 1965), it is possible that this measure may have misclassified this conceptual domain (Colligan & Offord, 1988a). Other scales measuring this may have resulted in different findings.…”

“…This scale was developed from factor analysis with items from the MMPI (Dahlstrom et al, 1972; Greene, 1991; Welsh, 1965). Although this measure represents an early MMPI scale, it has been use in recent studies and has general face, concurrent, and predictive validity for the presence of repression (Archer et al, 1989; Goldwater and Collis, 1985; Persky et al, 1987). Higher scores on the Welsh R scale are generally associated with increased internalization, denial, and use of repressive coping styles in dealing with emotional stressors (Dahlstrom et al, 1972; Greene, 1991; Welsh, 1965).…”

“…Although this scale is also an early MMPI measure, it has been used in recent studies and appears to have good face, concurrent, and predictive validity for anxiety (Archer et al, 1989; Colligan & Offord, 1988a; Greene, 1991). Higher scores on the WAS are associated with increased trait anxiety and related characteristics (Dahlstrom et al, 1972; 1975; Greene, 1991; Welsh, 1965).…”

Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised: Development of a short form

“…The MMPI-Depression scale has demonstrated concurrent validity for assessing depression in adults (Nelson & Cicchetti, 1991) and adolescents (Archer, Gordon, Giannetti, & Singles, 1988;Williams & Butcher, 1989). 1983) uses 17 true-false questions to measure pessimism and hopelessness.…”

Mexican American Adolescents' Performance on the MMPI-A

“…The outcome of this project was the publication of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A; Butcher et al, 1992). The MMPI-A maintained the original MMPI Validity and Clinical scales because of the scales' demonstrated ability to predict adolescents' problems and behaviors (Archer, Gordon, Giannetti, & Singles, 1988). It also consisted of new Content scales that were specifically created to assess adjustment concerns common to most adolescents who are not seriously disturbed.…”