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MMPI‐2 based classification of forensic psychiatric outpatients: An exploratory cluster analytic study
Author(s) -
Nieberding Ron J.,
Gacono Carl B.,
Pirie Mark,
Bannatyne Lynne A.,
Viglione Donald J.,
Cooper Bruce,
Bodholdt Robert H.,
Frackowiak Marita
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.10192
Subject(s) - minnesota multiphasic personality inventory , rorschach test , psychology , categorical variable , population , personality , personality test , psychiatry , clinical psychology , forensic psychiatry , psychometrics , test validity , social psychology , medicine , statistics , mathematics , environmental health
Abstract The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and now the MMPI‐2, are the most widely researched personality assessment tools in correctional and related forensic settings (MMPI; Hathaway & McKinley, 1940; MMPI‐2; Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989). Using the original MMPI, Megargee (1977a) and colleagues (Megargee & Bohn, 1977; Megargee & Dorhout, 1977) developed an extensive and meaningful classification system for correctional inmates. However, few studies, with the exception of Toch and Adams (1994) cluster analytic study of emotionally disturbed violent offenders, have explored possibilities of a statistically derived categorical classification paradigm within the growing population of forensic psychiatric patients awaiting discharge into the community (Bannatyne, 1996). The present exploratory study investigates the utility of a commonly employed and replicable cluster analytic method in establishing an MMPI‐2‐based categorical classification system within a substantial forensic psychiatric outpatient sample ( N = 300). Here, we present results of a seven‐cluster solution, augmented by contemporaneous Rorschach inkblot data utilizing Exner's Comprehensive System (Exner, 1991; Exner et al., 1995). Descriptive cluster characteristics are provided along with potential clinical correlates in an attempt to move closer to the goal of pairing informed assessment with effective treatment in this growing, but unique, population. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.