Correspondence Between MMPI PTSD Measures and Clinical Diagnosis

Abstract

Correspondence of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subscale and the clinical scale decision rules reported by Keane, Malloy, and Fairbank (1984) with clinical diagnoses of PTSD was measured on a sample of 595 veterans. The measures demonstrated good sensitivity and selectivity, but the false-positive rate was high. It is suggested the MMPI measures be used to rule out, but not to establish, the diagnosis of PTSD. The construct validity of the PTSD subscale was supported by the finding of a higher mean score in combat than noncombat veterans.