THE USE OF THE MMPI-2 FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF DEPRESSIVE AND PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

Considering the normative changes incorporated into the MMPI-2 and the introduction of content scales, this study examined its usefulness fo r the diagnosis and assessment of depression and psychosis in a hetero geneous sample of 264 psychiatric inpatients. We examined the mean gro up profiles and diagnostic efficiency of single scales at specified cu toff scores for these conditions. We also conducted cross-validated st epwise regression using all the basic and content scales as well as hi erarchical regression examining the incremental validity of the basic and content scales. In general, the MMPI-2 profiles were found to be s ensitive to group differences and the derived regression equations pro ved to be stable and fairly good at classification; but single scales were less useful for diagnosis. Changes in norms made the MMPI-2 more specific than the MMPI, and the introduction of new content scales off ered considerable additional clinical information and incremental vali dity.