Differential sensitivity of the MMPI-2 depression scales and subscales

Abstract

The MMPI-2 was administered to 122 psychiatric inpatients (62 female, 60 male, mean age 37 years). The various MMPI-2 depression scales and subscales were examined to compare their relative sensitivity. Using the 65T cut-off, scales DEP and D identified approximately 60% and 62070, respectively, as suffering depressotypal symptoms. Using a 70T cut-off, scales D1, D2, D3, D4, DS, D-Obvious, and D-Subtle identified 53%, 24Q0, 37%, 57%, 45%, 53%, and 3%, respectively, as suffering depressotypal symptoms. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for clinical practice.

Effects of nicotine and depressive traits on affective priming of lateralized emotional word identification.

“…In the present case, the MMPI2 depression scale was used as a measure of trait disposition toward depression and depressive affect. The MMPI-2 depression scale has been found to differentiate individuals with major depressive disorder from controls with good sensitivity and specificity (Bence, Sabourin, Luty, & Thackrey, 2006; Wetzler; Kahn, Strauman, & Dubro, 1989) and to predict increases in depressive symptoms (Gilbert et al, 1998; Gilbert et al, 2002) and hemispheric EEG asymmetries in response to smoking abstinence (Gilbert et al 2004). …”

Effects of nicotine and depressive traits on affective priming of lateralized emotional word identification.

“…In the present case, the MMPI2 depression scale was used as a measure of trait disposition toward depression and depressive affect. The MMPI-2 depression scale has been found to differentiate individuals with major depressive disorder from controls with good sensitivity and specificity (Bence, Sabourin, Luty, & Thackrey, 2006; Wetzler; Kahn, Strauman, & Dubro, 1989) and to predict increases in depressive symptoms (Gilbert et al, 1998; Gilbert et al, 2002) and hemispheric EEG asymmetries in response to smoking abstinence (Gilbert et al 2004). …”

Serotonin transporter genotype and depressive symptoms moderate effects of nicotine on spatial working memory.

“…The Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) consists of empirically derived questionnaires designed to delineate clinical from nonclinical disorders. Here we used the MMPI depression scale as a measure of depressive affect and symptoms frequently associated with depression (Bence, Sabourin, Luty, & Thackrey, 2006;Wetzler;Kahn, Strauman, & Dubro, 1989). Within healthy populations the MMPI depression scale has been found to predict depressive symptoms (Gilbert et al, 2002) and asymmetrical neural responses (Gilbert et al, 2004) to smoking abstinence.…”

Are the MMPI subtle subscales subtle measures of their scales?

“…Ma-S has shown convergent and discriminative validity in all studies reporting results for this subscale. Conversely, no support has been found for the convergent validity of D-S (also not included in Hollrah et al, 1995: Bence, Sabourin, Luty, & Thackrey, 1995Boone, 1995;Nelson, Pham, & Uchiyama, 1996). Findings vary regarding the construct validity of Pd-S and Pa-S, and there is little research but no support for Hy-S. 3 An important question that has not been directly addressed in any previous study, however, is whether or not the Wiener-Harmon subtle subscales can truly function as subtle measures of their scales.…”

Effects of nicotine and depressive traits on affective priming of lateralized emotional word identification.

“…In the present case, the MMPI2 depression scale was used as a measure of trait disposition toward depression and depressive affect. The MMPI-2 depression scale has been found to differentiate individuals with major depressive disorder from controls with good sensitivity and specificity (Bence, Sabourin, Luty, & Thackrey, 2006; Wetzler; Kahn, Strauman, & Dubro, 1989) and to predict increases in depressive symptoms (Gilbert et al, 1998; Gilbert et al, 2002) and hemispheric EEG asymmetries in response to smoking abstinence (Gilbert et al 2004). …”

Serotonin transporter genotype and depressive symptoms moderate effects of nicotine on spatial working memory.

“…The Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) consists of empirically derived questionnaires designed to delineate clinical from nonclinical disorders. Here we used the MMPI depression scale as a measure of depressive affect and symptoms frequently associated with depression (Bence, Sabourin, Luty, & Thackrey, 2006;Wetzler;Kahn, Strauman, & Dubro, 1989). Within healthy populations the MMPI depression scale has been found to predict depressive symptoms (Gilbert et al, 2002) and asymmetrical neural responses (Gilbert et al, 2004) to smoking abstinence.…”

Are the MMPI subtle subscales subtle measures of their scales?

“…Ma-S has shown convergent and discriminative validity in all studies reporting results for this subscale. Conversely, no support has been found for the convergent validity of D-S (also not included in Hollrah et al, 1995: Bence, Sabourin, Luty, & Thackrey, 1995Boone, 1995;Nelson, Pham, & Uchiyama, 1996). Findings vary regarding the construct validity of Pd-S and Pa-S, and there is little research but no support for Hy-S. 3 An important question that has not been directly addressed in any previous study, however, is whether or not the Wiener-Harmon subtle subscales can truly function as subtle measures of their scales.…”

Effects of nicotine and depressive traits on affective priming of lateralized emotional word identification.

“…In the present case, the MMPI2 depression scale was used as a measure of trait disposition toward depression and depressive affect. The MMPI-2 depression scale has been found to differentiate individuals with major depressive disorder from controls with good sensitivity and specificity (Bence, Sabourin, Luty, & Thackrey, 2006; Wetzler; Kahn, Strauman, & Dubro, 1989) and to predict increases in depressive symptoms (Gilbert et al, 1998; Gilbert et al, 2002) and hemispheric EEG asymmetries in response to smoking abstinence (Gilbert et al 2004). …”

Serotonin transporter genotype and depressive symptoms moderate effects of nicotine on spatial working memory.

“…The Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) consists of empirically derived questionnaires designed to delineate clinical from nonclinical disorders. Here we used the MMPI depression scale as a measure of depressive affect and symptoms frequently associated with depression (Bence, Sabourin, Luty, & Thackrey, 2006;Wetzler;Kahn, Strauman, & Dubro, 1989). Within healthy populations the MMPI depression scale has been found to predict depressive symptoms (Gilbert et al, 2002) and asymmetrical neural responses (Gilbert et al, 2004) to smoking abstinence.…”

Are the MMPI subtle subscales subtle measures of their scales?

“…Ma-S has shown convergent and discriminative validity in all studies reporting results for this subscale. Conversely, no support has been found for the convergent validity of D-S (also not included in Hollrah et al, 1995: Bence, Sabourin, Luty, & Thackrey, 1995Boone, 1995;Nelson, Pham, & Uchiyama, 1996). Findings vary regarding the construct validity of Pd-S and Pa-S, and there is little research but no support for Hy-S. 3 An important question that has not been directly addressed in any previous study, however, is whether or not the Wiener-Harmon subtle subscales can truly function as subtle measures of their scales.…”