MMPI profile patterns of men alcoholics in two contrasting settings.

Abstract

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was administered to inpatient and outpatient men alcoholics on admission to treatment. The 206 inpatients (mean age 45) were voluntary participants in a Veterans Administration Hospital program. Most of the 224 outpatients (mean age 40) had been referred by the courts in lieu of fines or imprisonment for alcohol-related offenses. Multivariate analysis of MMPI profiles yielded distinct MMPI profile types for the majority of the inpatient and outpatient samples (77 and 55%). The inpatients were grouped into 3 cardinal and 2 secondary types; the outpatients into 3 cardinal and 1 secondary type. These clinical types matched known actuarial patterns and showed a wide range of psychopathology. Inherent population differences due to setting were demonstrated on the kind and size of types found. Inpatients showed mostly moderate to severe neurotic (or borderline) disorders; character disorders were more evident among the outpatients. Differences between types within the outpatient sample were discerned with measures of drinking behavior and psychiatric history. The types with the greater profile elevations reported higher daily alcohol intake, a greater frequency of daily drinking, more negative consequences of drinking and a higher incidence of psychiatric care than did those with lesser profile elevations. The need to consider differences in personality type when planning psychotherapy or drug therapy for alcoholics is emphasized.