The effect of sex differences and nondefensiveness on the predictive validity of Barron's Es scale

Extended research reported by Clayton and Graham (1979) on the relationship between Es scores and nondefensiveness with respect to prognosis for positive change in treatment (N = 103). Sex differences and the effect of restricting the F-K index as a measure of defensiveness to the normal range (+1 to +9) were investigated. Results indicated that for females only low Es scores and nondefensiveness (as measured by patients' willingness to admit to having problems and by an F-K index in the normal range) were to a limited degree significantly related to positive outcome. Implications of these findings in terms of the validity of Barron's Es scale for an inpatient psychiatric population were discussed.