A longitudinal study of the effects of seizure symptoms on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) clinical interpretation.
This study investigated whether the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) items reflecting seizure symptoms spuriously inflate MMPI-2 scores in persons with epilepsy. In a repeated measures prospective design, patients with epilepsy completed the MMPI-2 prior to epilepsy surgery and again two years later when they were either seizure-free or not seizure-free. Compared to baseline scores, only seizure-free patients showed a decline in endorsement of seizure items, and only on one scale, Hypochondriasis (Hs). Clinical profiles were not meaningfully different when readministered when seizures were no longer present. Moreover, profiles generated by individuals with and without seizures were not significantly different. We conclude the MMPI-2 is a valid test in an epilepsy population, as seizure content did not alter its clinical interpretation. In using the MMPI-2 in patients with epilepsy, a modest correction on the Hs and Schizophrenia (Sc) scales is warranted in selected cases. In MMPI-2 research, assessing both statistical and clinical significance is recommended.
Derry
Paul A
PA
Department of Psychological Services, London Health Sciences Centre and University of Western Ontario, Canada. paul.derry@lhsc.on.ca
Harnadek
Michael C S
MC
McLachlan
Richard S
RS
Sontrop
Jennifer
J
Blume
Warren T
WT
Girvin
John P
JP
D000328:Adult; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index