The value of the MMPI conversion 'V' in the assessment of psychogenic pain.

The conversion 'V' is a familiar MMPI pattern which is traditionally used as a clinical marker of psychogenic pain. The 'V' form is assumed to arise because conversion suppresses depression thereby lowering scores on scale D, and exacerbates physical sensations thereby increasing scores on Hs and Hy. An inverse relationship between scales Hs and Hy, and D is therefore expected. These assumptions were tested in 102 patients with low back pain and organic findings, and 93 patients with non-organic findings. The pattern of correlation among the three scales did not distinguish organic patients from non-organic patients in which conversion is assumed to account for pain. Scale D was not inversely related to scales Hs and Hy in the non-organic group as expected from theory. The findings do not support the use of the conversion 'V' as a clinical marker.