Personality Patterns of Alcoholics Revisited: Delineation Against the MMPI and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Eight personality patterns were derived on the Personality Research Form (PRF) data of 206 male alcohol abuser inpatient veterans, accounting for 55% of the total sample. Seven of these types were partial to moderately strong replications of the types from nerviano: compulsive, aggressive, impulsive/hystrionic, narcissistic, submissive, asocial schizoid and avoidant schizoid. One additional hostile/withdrawn type was also derived. These PRF patterns were quite distinctive on the regular clinical scales of the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) via discriminant analysis. These prototype clinical patterns were seen as a basis for differential psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological strategies of treatment of chronic alcohol abusers.