MMPI Configural Interpretation as Applied to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Vietnam Veterans

Abstract

This study investigated the systems of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) configural interpretation of Skinner and Jackson (1978) and Kunce (1979) with Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MMPI profiles of four groups differing in combat exposure were compared on four MMPI configural variables from Kunce (1979) and Skinner and Jackson (1978). The four groups were (a) PTSD sufferers, (b) Vietnam combat veterans without PTSD, (c) Vietnam noncombat veterans, and (d) Vietnam era veterans. All groups were further divided into hospitalized versus nonhospitalized subgroups. Dependent variables were Skinner and Jackson's (a) sociopathic modal profile, (b) neurotic profile, (c) psychotic profile, and (d) Kunce's emotional expression (enthusiastic-reserved) dimension. Results indicated that hospitalized PTSD subjects had significantly higher scores on Skinner and Jackson's neurotic profile; both hospitalized and nonhospitalized PTSD subjects had higher scores on the psychotic profile and were more "reserved" on Kunce's emotional expression dimension. Results were interpreted in terms of configural MMPI interpretation systems and the adjustment of Vietnam veterans with PTSD. PTSD was viewed as exhibiting cognitive, somatic, and affective features.

The effects of prior combat experience on the expression of somatic and affective symptoms in deploying soldiers

“…Some evidence suggests that attempts to cope with emotional distress via avoidant coping or repressive processes may be associated with selective amplification of somatic symptoms [11][12][13]. A number of studies suggest that exposure to combat may increase subsequent vulnerability to psychiatric difficulties [14], including the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), higher rates of somatization [15][16][17], and more reserved emotional expressiveness [18]. These findings suggest that soldiers with prior combat experience may be particularly prone to expressing subsequent stress via somatic channels, especially given the perceived barriers to mental health care within the military community [1] returned home, it may be a qualitatively different experience to return to a combat situation yet again.…”