When a professional psychologist examines a woman domestic violence survivor's Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2; J. N. Butcher, W. G. Dahlstrom, J. R. Graham, A. M. Tellegen, & B. Kaemmer, 1989) profile, what unique signs will there be that she suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Existing empirical evidence and diagnostic decision rules for determining the presence of PTSD with the MMPI-2 cannot be applied to domestic violence survivors. The MMPI-2 was administered to 93 women domestic violence survivors. Results suggest that the MMPI-2 is sensitive to PTSD symptoms. Women domestic violence survivors with PTSD generate unique average MMPI-2 profiles. The Defensiveness (K) validity and 1 (Hypochondriasis [Hs]) scales may assist in discriminating between survivors with and without PTSD.At the initiation of psychological treatment with women domestic violence survivors, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2; Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) may be used productively to evaluate the impact of domestic violence experiences on current psychological functioning. Unfortunately, confusion has reigned over the nature and meaning of MMPI-2 profiles in women domestic violence survivors, and there has also been confusion regarding whether women domestic violence survivors produce different MMPI-2 profiles depending on whether they do or do not have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study provides some guidance as to the unique ways domestic violence survivors with and without PTSD respond to the MMPI-2.Clinicians who use the MMPI-2 to assess women, especially those who have suffered domestic violence, should be cautious to JOHN S. MORRELL received his PhD in counseling psychology from Texas Woman's University in 1998. He was senior staff psychologist at Oshkosh Correctional Institution in Oshkosh, WI, at the time this article was written. He is now senior staff psychologist for the Division of Community Corrections, Region III, of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and a licensed psychologist in independent practice in Milwaukee, WI. His clinical and research interests are in cognitive behavior therapy, the assessment and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, and sexual offender assessment and treatment. LINDA J. RUBIN received her PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas in 1992. She is an associate professor in the Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program, Department of Psychology and Philosophy, at Texas Woman's University. Her clinical and research interests are psychological trauma and sexual harassment in academia and the workplace.
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