A new MMPI-derived indicator of liability to develop schizophrenia: evidence from the New York High-Risk Project.
A large body of research indicates that the liability to develop schizophrenia is largely genetically mediated, although phenotypic expression requires environmental triggers/insults and/or epigenetic and/or stochastic factors. In an effort to identify the precise environmental factors that precipitate a predisposition to schizophrenia, researchers have implemented a high-risk model-the prospective study of offspring born to schizophrenic parents. As it is difficult to ascertain exactly which of the "high-risk" participants will actually develop the disorder, we examined the validity of an experimental MMPI scale, Schizophrenia Proneness (SzP), and the Moldin-Gottesman psychometric index to identify such individuals. Results suggest that the SzP scale can be an effective predictor of schizophrenia-related psychoses. A revised psychometric index is offered for further study.
Bolinskey
P K
PK
Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22904-4400, USA. bolinskey@virginia.edu
Gottesman
I I
II
Nichols
D S
DS
Shapiro
B M
BM
Roberts
S A
SA
Adamo
U H
UH
Erlenmeyer-Kimling
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012931:Social Environment; D013223:Statistics as Topic