Incremental validity of the MMPI-2 Content Scales: a preliminary study with brain-injured patients.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the usefulness of the MMPI-2 Content Scales among traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.

DESIGN

Hierarchical stepwise regression analyses with the SCL-90-R scales as the criterion variables were conducted to determine the incremental validity of the Content Scales beyond the information provided by the Clinical Scales.

PARTICIPANTS

27 persons with moderate to severe TBI who had been discharged to the community from inpatient rehabilitation between 6 months and 4 years before the beginning of the study.

RESULTS

The Content Scales accounted for an additional 4% to 36% of the variance of SCL-90-R scales beyond that predicted by the Clinical Scales.

CONCLUSIONS

Interpretation of the Content Scales may be particularly valuable with TBI patients, because they provide an additional avenue for the identification of distressing symptoms.