DSM-IV CLUSTER A PERSONALITY-DISORDER DIAGNOSES AMONG YOUNG-ADULTS WITH A 2-7-8-MMPI PROFILE

The present study evaluated the presence of DSM-IV personality disorde rs among young adults from a nonclinical setting who produced an MMPI 2-7-8 profile in comparison to a group of MMPI-defined controls. Categ orical and dimensional analyses of personality disorders were evaluate d. Participants in the 2-7-8 group (n = 20) received significantly mor e personality disorder diagnoses than did controls (n = 29), and 85% o f these individuals received at least one Cluster A (Paranoid, Schizoi d, Schizotypal) diagnosis in contrast to only 6.9% of controls (catego rical analysis). The 2-7-8 group also received significantly more Clus ter A diagnoses than Cluster B or C diagnoses. When dimensional analys es were applied (subclinical diagnoses), 95% of the 2-7-8 group eviden ced Cluster A features. Comorbidity patterns were also evaluated; the most frequent comorbid diagnosis for the 2-7-8 group was Avoidant Pers onality Disorder (n = 8), consistent with Meehl's (1962, 1989, 1990) c onceptualization of schizotypy. These results support the use of the M MPI 2-7-8 profile as an indicator of schizophrenia-related pathology w ithin nonclinical samples of young adults.