Validity of the MMPI scales for measuring twenty psychiatric dimensions.

Abstract

This study tested the individual validities of the 13 standard MMPI scales for predicting psychiatric symptoms. Scores on the 13 MMPI scales for 138 cooperative psychiatric patients in a general hospital were correlated with ratings of 20 symptoms made by the patients' therapists. Canonical correlation demonstrated that the MMPI and rating data intercorrelated significantly better than chance (p < .0001). The Hypochondriasis scale of the MMPI and ratings of Somatic Concerns correlated highest (r = .44). While meaningful statistically significant correlations supportive of the construct validity of certain MMPI scales were obtained, the correlations, by and large, were seen as too small for making clinically useful predictions about individuals.

MMPI clinical scale correlates.

“…Zelin's procedures are described elsewhere (Zelin, 1971). The source of clinical observations to be correlated with MMPI scales was the Psychiatric Evaluation Form (Spitzer, Endicott, & Cohen, 1968), which was completed by psychiatric residents following an hourlong interview within a day of each patient's admission.…”

“…In what is purported to be one of the only published studies dealing directly with this issue, Zelin (1971) "tested the individual validities of the 13 standard MMPI scales for predicting [20] psychiatric symptoms" (p. 286). His sample was relatively small, however, and consisted of predominately neurotic patients who were admitted to a small psychiatric ward of a private general hospital.…”

“…This article presents and compares the results of seven independent studies (five previously unreported, plus Zelin, 1971, andBoerger et al, 1974), each of which has been concerned with empirically identifying behavioral or symptom correlates of individual MMPI clinical scales for psychiatric patients. It also discusses these results in terms of conventional clinical practice and in terms of one of the most recent twopoint code-type actuarial systems (Gynther, Altman, & Sletten, 1973).…”

“…In general, entries reflect significances at the .01 level for single-sample studies and cross-validated significances at the .10 level. A minus sign before a study symbol indicates a negative relationship, and parentheses indicate statistical significance at a less rigorous level (e.g., the .05 level for theZelin, 1971, study or the .10 level in at least two of the Walter Reed studies). The "Study symbol" column indicates which studies contained each item.…”

MMPI correlates of social and physical anhedonia.

“…Two 8 The MMPI scales are discussed in terms of empirical correlates more frequently associated with these factorially complex scales. The reader may wish to review empirical and behavioral correlates of single MMPI scales, which have been described by Hedlund (1977), Boerger, Graham, and Lilly (1974), Lorr andGilberstadt (1972), andZelin (1971). Content Scales (Wiggins, 1969) Social anhedonia correlates positively with measures of social maladjustment, depression, poor morale, psychoticism, organic symptoms, and poor health (see Table 2).…”