MMPI codetypes characteristic of DSM-III schizophrenics, depressives, and bipolars

Depression in inpatients: bipolar vs unipolar

162 depressed inpatients were divided into three diagnostic groups to compare patterns of sociodemographic characteristics, psychopathology, and psychosocial: 35 had a single episode of major depression, 96 had recurrent major depression, and 31 had a bipolar disorder. Psychopathology and psychosocial functioning were measured by clinician-rated scales, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Clinical Global Impression, and self-rating scales, Symptom Checklist-90, Social Support Questionnaire, Social Adjustment Scale. The three groups were comparable on sociodemographic variables, with the exception of education. Univariate analyses showed a similar social impairment as measured by Social Support Questionnaire, Social Adjustment Scale, and no significant differences were recorded for the psychopathology when the total test scores (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Clinical Global Index, Symptom Checklist-90) were evaluated. Some differences emerged for single items in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Symptom Checklist-90. These findings suggest a substantial similarity among the three groups. Results are discussed in terms of the clinical similarities between unipolar and bipolar patients during a depressive episode as well as the limitations of cross-sectional study implies.

The psychological assessment of depression: unipolars versus bipolars

Psychological test differences between unipolar (UD) and bipolar (BD) depressed inpatients were examined using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI, Hathaway and McKinley, 1943; MMPI-2, Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989), Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI, Millon, 1983; MCMI-II, Millon 1987), and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R, Derogatis, 1983). One hundred fifty-eight UD patients and 26 BD patients took these self-report tests at the beginning of their hospitalization. Results indicate that there were few consistent findings across the three tests (or versions of tests). Contrary to some previous studies, the BD patients did not exhibit a "social desirability" response set, nor did they produce "normal" test profiles. Although the tests were not able to identify depressed patients with past manic episodes, BD patients were more narcissistic, driven, and willing to engage in antisocial practices than were UD patients. These findings are discussed in terms of the clinical similarities between UD and BD patients during a depressive episode as well as the limitations of cross-sectional self-report measures to evaluate historical information regarding course of illness.

Assessment of depression: using the MMPI, Millon, and Millon-II

The analysis examined how the MMPI, original Millon, and Millon-II may be used for the assessment of clinical and personality characteristics of depressed patients. High-point code-type analysis of data from 133 depressed inpatients yielded seven MMPI personality profiles (incapacitated-depressive, intropunitive-depressive, caught psychopath, hysteroid-dysphoric, schizotypal-depressive, ruminative-depressive, and psychotic-depressive) and eight Millon personality profiles (avoidant-depressive, conforming-depressive, hostile-depressive, hysteroid-depressive, disenfranchised-depressive, guilty-depressive, passive aggressive-depressive, and anaclitic-depressive). These profiles reflect important similarities in the personalities of the tested depressed inpatients and differences among them as well. Our interpretive framework is speculative but offers a basis for clinical hypothesis generation.

Self-help epilepsy groups: an evaluation of effect on depression and schizophrenia

The general prevalence of depression and schizophrenia was determined in a random outpatient population (n = 67) of refractory epileptic patients by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality inventory (MMPI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Of those patients 25% showed scores of moderate or severe depression. Self-help group intervention modifies significantly (p < 0.001) general mean depression rates, especially dystimia. Male and female differences emerged in our study for previous prevalence and pattern of recovery.

The diagnosis and assessment of depression, mania, and psychosis by self-report

We examined the usefulness of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the original and revised versions of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI and MCMI-II), and the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) for the diagnosis and assessment of depression, mania, and psychosis in a heterogeneous group of 272 psychiatric inpatients. We examined the following: diagnostic efficiency of single scales at specified cutoff scores for these conditions, multidimensional test profiles, MMPI high-point codes, and associated MCMI and MCMI-II personality disorders. The reported findings are discussed in terms of how these tests may and may not be used to answer particular assessment questions and what the self-report vantage contributes to the entire clinical assessment process.

Depression and personality disorder: differential diagnosis with the MMPI

This study assessed the effectiveness of the MMPI in differentiating four clinically relevant types of depression. MMPI profiles of 53 subjects with major depression and personality disorder, 44 subjects with other depression and personality disorder, 27 subjects with major depression without personality disorder, and 20 subjects with other depression without personality disorder were compared via MANOVA, high-point pair analysis, and discriminant analysis. The instrument was found somewhat effective in differentiating the groups at a statistically significant level, but the differences were too subtle to be considered clinically useful. Thus, while the MMPI has some usefulness in the differential diagnosis of depression, it is best used in conjunction with other test data and relevant historical data.

Diagnosis of major depression by self-report

The Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test profiles of inpatients and outpatients with DSM-III major depression (n = 48) were contrasted with the test profiles of a control group of patients with diverse psychiatric disorders (n = 68). In addition, the diagnostic efficiency of the relevant depression subscales for the diagnosis of major depression were examined. The results indicated that the three self-report tests may be used to diagnose DSM-III major depression, and that the depressed patients had characteristic test profiles.

Differentiating between schizophrenic and manic inpatients by means of the MMPI

Forty-five psychiatric inpatients with DSM-III diagnoses of schizophrenia and 31 inpatients with DSM-III diagnoses of bipolar disorder (and currently manic) were compared on the MMPI. Results indicated that although the schizophrenic patients achieved significantly higher scores on several of the MMPI scales (F, Pt, Sc, Si), these findings were of questionable clinical significance. On the other hand, the schizophrenic group did produce a significantly greater percentage of MMPI high-point pairs containing Scale 8(Sc): that is, 64.4% versus 35.5%.

MMPI differences among three diagnostic groups of Mexican-American state hospital patients

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were significant MMPI differences among three diagnostic groups of Mexican-American psychiatric inpatients and whether a profile pattern was associated with each one, schizophrenia ( n = 32), antisocial personality disorder ( n = 15), and affective disorder with unipolar depression ( n = 18). Comparisons on the basic validity and clinical scales yielded only three significant differences, on the Frequency, Depression, and Schizophrenia scales. No unique profile patterns were found; groups showed a similar mean profile configuration, with elevations on the Psychopathic Deviate and Schizophrenia scales. Overall, antisocial men appeared on the MMPI less disturbed than either the depressive or schizophrenic men. The results are consistent with previous findings which suggest that the MMPI scores may correspond poorly with DSM-III diagnostic groups. The results also suggested that Mexican-Americans in psychiatric facilities, irrespective of diagnosis, may respond similarly on the MMPI.