MMPI-2 profiles of Gulf and Vietnam combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.
The current study examined service era differences in a sample of 172 Gulf and Vietnam outpatient veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants completed the MMPI-2 and several additional self-report measures of symptom severity (PTSD, depression, anxiety, hostility, and health complaints). Results indicated that MMPI-2 profiles differed significantly according to service era with Vietnam veterans scoring higher on scales 2, 8, and 0 and lower on scale 9 than did Gulf veterans. Examination of group means derived from parametric analysis of MMPI-2 data suggested a mean two-point code type of 2-8/8-2 for Vietnam veterans and 1-8/8-1 for Gulf veterans. In contrast, when the data were examined using descriptive techniques based on frequency counts of individual MMPI-2 profiles, the most frequently occurring two-point codetype was 7-8/8-7 for Vietnam veterans, and 6-8/8-6 for Gulf veterans. In addition, Gulf veterans reported a greater number of total health complaints than Vietnam veterans, whereas Vietnam veterans reported a greater number of physician-diagnosed physical conditions. Potential advantages of incorporating descriptive approaches versus parametric methods when examining profile data are also presented.
Glenn
D Michael
DM
University of North Carolina, John Umstead Hospital, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, NC 27705, USA.
Beckham
Jean C
JC
Sampson
William S
WS
Feldman
Michelle E
ME
Hertzberg
Michael A
MA
Moore
Scott D
SD
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014744:Vietnam; D014857:Warfare