A validity study of the MMPI-TRI Acting-out Scale

49 college men and 45 women were administered the 1995 MMPI-TRI by Swanson, Templer, Thomas-Dobson, Cannon, Streiner, Reynolds, and Miller and a short form of the MMPI with scales for Subjective Distress, Acting-out, and Psychosis. To test the validity of the Acting-out scale respondents also took measures of sexual and aggressive acting out as well as a measure of alcohol use. They were asked about their use of drugs. Women had significant correlations between scores on the Acting-out Scale and scores on measures of Sexual Sensation Seeking .57, Sexual Compulsion .54, Anger Control -.40, Anger-out .50, Anger-in .32, and Drug Use .40. Men had significant correlations for scores on measures of Sexual Compulsion .51, Anger Control -.39, Anger-in .37, and Alcohol Use .35 but not Anger-out. Results suggest the Acting-out scale is more valid for college women than for men.