Psychiatric symptoms and HIV risk in MMPI-2 cluster subgroups of polysubstance abusers in treatment

This investigation identified personality subgroups based upon cluster anal ysis of MMPI-2 records of polysubstance abusers. Subgroups were compared on lifetime and current psychiatric symptoms and on attitudes and behaviors l inked with HIV infection risk. High psychopathology, mild psychopathology, and subclinical MMPI-2 cluster types were identified which resemble those t hat have been identified in earlier studies with the original version of th e MMPI. The High Psychopathology Subgroup had significantly higher proporti ons with all lifetime psychiatric problems (ASI), higher levels of all curr ent psychiatric symptoms (SCL-90), and lower levels of confidence in abilit y to enact safer sexual practices than the Subclinical Cluster Subgroup. Fe wer differences in lifetime and concurrent psychiatric symptoms were found in comparisons involving High Pathology and Mild Pathology cluster subgroup s and Mild Psychopathology and Subclinical cluster subgroups. Those in the High Psychopathology Subgroup likely need treatment programs that address t heir more chronic and serious mental health problems and interventions that target their judgment and problem solving limitations that may increase HI V infection risk. (C) 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.