The relation between trait anxiety and the Harris MMPI PD subscales among psychiatric inpatients

Investigated the relationship between trait anxiety and MMPI PD scores among psychiatric inpatients from a multidimensional standpoint by means of the Harris PD subscales. The trait anxiety scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Harris PD subscales were administered to 24 female and 21 male psychiatric inpatients. Trait anxiety was correlated positively with the basic PD scale in accord with previous findings. However, the Self-Alienation and Social Alienation PD subscales were the only Harris subscales that were correlated significantly with anxiety in the positive direction. The Social Imperturbability PD subscale was related inversely to trait anxiety. The findings were discussed primarily in terms of the potential benefit of employing the Harris subscales in studies of psychopathy and in clinical settings.