Characteristics and correlates of MMPI change within an adult psychiatric inpatient setting

This study investigated characteristics and correlates of MMPI change scores among 188 male and female inpatients who were assessed at admission and upon completion of a 9-week residential program. Predictor variables included admission scores from the standard 13 MMPI scales, the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, the trait component of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Shipley-Hartford Verbal IQ scores, as well as demographic variables including factors that involved psychiatric history. Outcome variables consisted of change scores based on raw score values for each of the 13 MMPI scales. Results of a canonical correlation indicated a significant relationship between predictor and outcome variables, which cumulatively accounted for 27% of the variance of outcome change scores. Findings were discussed in terms of implications for research and theory in the areas of the measurement of psychological change through use of the MMPI.