Prediction of help-seeking with the MMPI: the problem of base rates

The usefulness of combined elevation of the Depression and Psychasthenia scales of the MMPI as a predictor of psychological help-seeking was investigated for two classes at a small liberal arts college for men. Counseling service use rates during the 4 years of college for all students who scored at or above T = 60 on both MMPI scales (N = 83) were compared with rates for all other students (N = 269). Students in the high Depression-Psychasthenia group were significantly more likely to seek counseling during their freshman years than were other students (p less than .05). Among counselees the high MMPI group also made significantly more visits to the service (p less than .05). Application of a Bayesian rule disclosed that the MMPI measure would have improved decision accuracy only with respect to the prediction that a student would come in for counseling at some time during college. In this population, the MMPI measure is both a valid and a useful predictor.