The MMPI basic validity and clinical scales' patterns of 295 White-, A
frican- and Latino-American pain patients were compared. Mean group di
fferences across ethnic groups on scales L, F, K, Mf, and Si were reve
aled in multivariate analysis of covariance for females, while differe
nces across ethnic groups on scales F, K, Mf, Sc, Ma, and Si were reve
aled for males. In the univariate follow-up analyses of covariance, si
gnificant main effects were obtained for ethnicity along with educatio
n and (occasionally for males) duration of pain. Various high-point, t
wo-point, and other profile patterns were examined and notable gender/
ethnic group differences were found. The pattern of intercorrelations
of the MMPI scales mean T scores with various demographic and clinical
characteristics suggested some notable divergence across subgroups on
certain correlates of the pain experience. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons
, Inc.