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Differentiating between schizophrenic and manic inpatients by means of the MMPI

G D Walters1, R L Greene

  • 1United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas.

Journal of Personality Assessment
|January 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Schizophrenia patients scored higher on some MMPI scales than bipolar disorder patients, but this had low clinical value. However, schizophrenic patients more frequently showed Scale 8 (Sc) as a high-point pair on the MMPI.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Psychological Assessment

Background:

  • The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a widely used psychological assessment tool.
  • Differentiating between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare MMPI profiles of schizophrenia patients and manic bipolar disorder patients.
  • To assess the clinical significance of MMPI scale differences between these two diagnostic groups.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 45 psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 31 inpatients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (currently manic).
  • Administration and analysis of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for both patient groups.

Main Results:

  • Schizophrenia patients exhibited significantly higher scores on MMPI scales F, Pt, Sc, and Si compared to bipolar disorder patients.
  • These elevated scores on scales F, Pt, Sc, and Si were deemed of questionable clinical significance.
  • A significantly greater percentage of schizophrenia patients (64.4%) displayed MMPI high-point pairs that included Scale 8 (Sc) compared to bipolar disorder patients (35.5%).

Conclusions:

  • While some MMPI scales show higher scores in schizophrenia, Scale 8 (Sc) high-point pairs may offer a more clinically relevant distinction.
  • The MMPI's Scale 8 (Sc) shows potential utility in differentiating schizophrenia from manic bipolar disorder.

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