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Relationships Among MMPI Codetype, Gender, and Setting and the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale

Greene1

  • 1Pacific Graduate School of Psychology

Assessment
|March 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) codetypes significantly impact MacAndrew Alcoholism (MAC) scale scores. A single cutoff score for substance abuse may be inappropriate due to variations across codetypes, gender, and clinical settings.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Assessment

Background:

  • The MacAndrew Alcoholism scale (MAC) is frequently used to identify alcohol and substance abuse.
  • Interpretation of MAC scores often relies on a standard cutoff score.
  • Individual differences in psychological profiles may influence MAC scores.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) codetypes on MacAndrew Alcoholism (MAC) scale scores.
  • To determine if a universal cutoff score for the MAC scale is appropriate across diverse patient populations and settings.
  • To examine the impact of gender and clinical setting on MAC score interpretation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of MAC scale scores within distinct MMPI codetypes.
  • Inclusion of three large samples: psychiatric inpatients/outpatients, medical outpatients, and alcoholic inpatients.
  • Statistical examination of score variations based on codetype, gender, and administration setting.

Main Results:

  • Mean MAC scores exhibited significant variability contingent upon MMPI codetype, gender, and the specific clinical setting.
  • Observed variations challenge the universal applicability of a single MAC scale cutoff score (e.g., raw score of 24+).
  • Codetype, gender, and setting are critical factors influencing MAC score interpretation.

Conclusions:

  • Clinicians should exercise caution when using the MAC scale for substance abuse identification.
  • The influence of MMPI codetype, gender, and setting must be considered for accurate MAC score interpretation.
  • A singular cutoff score for the MAC scale may lead to misidentification of substance abuse in clinical practice.

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