[Validity of computer-generated MMPI reports in psychiatric patients (author's transl)]

Lachar's (1974) completely documented, automated MMPI interpretational system was transplated into German and analyzed regarding validity and generalizability in 1190 German psychiatric inpatients. The 114 paragraphs of the text library, each interpreting independent aspects of the MMPI profile, were rated for their accuracy in each individual report by the psychiatrist in charge for the respective patient. As an average, 83 of every 100 printed paragraphs were rated as 'accurate.' Further analysis revealed that the accuracy of paragraphs describing elevated MMPI profiles was substatially higher than in those describing profiles within the normal range. Accuracy rates of individual paragraphs correlated significantly (r = 0.61) with those reported by Lachar, thus confirming the specific accuracy of each paragraph. It is concluded that the present MMPI interpretational system offers descriptive clinical reports that have shown a high accuracy in culturally diverse psychiatric settings.