CORRELATIONS BETWEEN THE MMPI AND THE SCALE FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF POSITIVE SYMPTOMS AND THE SCALE FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

Our study examined the relationship between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Scale for the Assessment of Posit ive Symptoms (SAPS; Andreason, 1984) and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS; Andreason, 1983) in patients who met the D iagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev.; A merican Psychiatric Association, 1987) diagnostic criteria for schizop hrenia (n = 125). A significant correlation was found between the SAPS Delusions scale and Scale 6 (Paranoia), the SAPS Positive Thought Dis order Scale and Scale F (Infrequency), and the SAPS Positive Thought D isorder and Scale 9 (Hypomania). Additional analysis also shows, howev er, that severity of symptoms was the best predictor of MMPI scores. C onsistent with previous studies, the MMPI appears useful for screening but not for the detailed evaluation of symptomatology of schizophreni c patients.