MMPI--A scores and high points of male juvenile delinquents: Scales 4, 5, and 6 as markers of juvenile delinquency.

Abstract

Adolescent (MMPI-A) clinical, supplementary, and content scale score patterns for 655 male delinquents were examined. Low scores on Scale 5 (Masculinity/Femininity) were found to be the most frequent deviation, followed by elevations on Scales 6 (Paranoia) and 4 (Psychopathic Deviate). This is consistent with previous research, although the importance of Scale 5 deviations has been little noted because of the traditional focus on scale elevations only. Classification analysis indicated that a combination of MMPI-A scales discriminated between this delinquent sample and the normative sample, with a sensitivity of 90%-95% and a specificity of 80%-85%. This level of sensitivity was maintained in a replication sample (N ϭ 473).

MMPI-A Structural Summary Characteristics of Male Juvenile Delinquents

“…Morton et al (2002) reported elevations on 18 of 31 clinical, supplementary, and content scales in this sample of delinquents, making it difficult to provide clear interpretation of the results. The analyses presented here clarify interpretation of those results by indicating two basic dimensions that are most common in the delinquents studied.…”

“…Peña et al (1996) found elevations on Clinical Scale 9 (Mania) and 4 (Psychopathic Deviate) to be particularly frequent, suggesting high levels of energy, impulsiveness, and antisocial attitudes as central features of delinquency. Morton et al (2002) found low scores on Clinical Scale 5 (Masculinity-Femininity) and high scores on Scales 6 (Paranoia) and 4 to be predominant in a sample of delinquents, suggesting stereotypically masculine traits, interpersonal suspiciousness, and antisocial attitudes as central features of male delinquency.…”

“…Based on the descriptors provided by , it is hypothesized that the delinquent sample will have elevated scores on Factors 2 (Immaturity), 3 (Disinhibition/Excitatory Potential), 7 (Familial Alienation), and 8 (Psychoticism) as these are generally correlated with externalizing behavior problems. In particular, Factor 2 (Immaturity) is also expected to be elevated because Morton et al (2002) found that in this sample, all 11 of the 15 clinical, supplementary, and content scales on the Immaturity factor were elevated by at least 5 T-score points.…”

“…The original Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) (Hathaway & McKinley, 1943) has a long history of use in research on the assessment of juvenile delinquents (e.g., Hathaway & Monachesi, 1957). Since its revision and publication of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A) (Butcher et al, 1992), several more studies have examined the use of the MMPI-A in assessing juvenile delinquents (Cashel, Rogers, Sewell, & Holliman, 1998;Morton, Farris, & Brenowitz, 2002;Peña, Megargee, & Brody, 1996). These studies have generally found specific score patterns that distinguish between delinquents and the normative group.…”

“…With the publication of the MMPI-A, several new supplementary scales and 15 new content scales were added that potentially provide important additional information. For example, Morton et al (2002) found that using supplementary and content scales, in addition to the basic clinical scales, resulted in improved discrimination between the delinquent sample and the normative sample. However, the large number of MMPI-A scales also complicates interpretation, both from a research perspective and an individual clinical perspective.…”