MMPI measures as signs of predisposition to mental disorder among adoptees at high risk for schizophrenia

Psychiatry Res. 2008 Apr 15;158(3):278-86. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2006.12.005. Epub 2008 Feb 13.

Abstract

The DSM-III-R diagnoses of a group of adoptees were predicted by the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) schizophrenia-related scales in the Finnish Adoptive Family Study. The sample consisted of 60 high-risk (HR) adopted-away offspring of biologic mothers with a diagnosis of broad schizophrenia spectrum and 76 low-risk (LR) control adoptees. They were assessed with the MMPI before the onset of any psychiatric disorder at a mean age of 24 years. High scores on the Psychopathic Deviate scale predicted psychiatric disorder at 11-year follow-up. Furthermore, LR adoptees', but not HR adoptees', mental disorders could be predicted with the MMPI scales Psychopathic Deviate and Golden-Meehl Indicators. These scales measure schizophrenia-related personality traits, including a social behavior, anhedonia, ambivalence, interpersonal aversiveness, and formal thought disturbances.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adoption / psychology*
  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / diagnosis
  • Affective Symptoms / epidemiology
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Child of Impaired Parents / psychology*
  • Child of Impaired Parents / statistics & numerical data
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Female
  • Finland / epidemiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / epidemiology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / psychology
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • MMPI / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mental Disorders / genetics
  • Personality Assessment
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / epidemiology*
  • Schizophrenia / genetics
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Class