CAN THE MMPI-2 DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN MILD-MODERATE TBI AND OTHER NEUROLOGIC AND PSYCHIATRIC POPULATIONS?

Abstract

MMPI-2 maintains an extensive empirical base with psychiatric populations, although more recently, neurologically compromised patients have documented unique elevation patterns. This study examined mild-moderate TBI patients, Alzheimer's Dementia patients, and Psychiatric controls on MMPI-2 scales. Participants included 160 outpatients (TBI n = 26, AD n = 74, Psychiatric n = 60). Controlling for family-wise-error, five ANCOVAs were conducted on five MMPI-2 scales, correcting for age and education. TBI and Psychiatric group means were significantly higher than AD group means for scales Hypochondriasis, Depression, and Hysteria at an alpha of .01. Results support previous research with mild TBI patients, and further document a unique pattern of elevations in this population.

Keywords:

• Alzheimer's dementia
• depression
• MMPI-2
• personality changes
• somatic
• traumatic brain injury