The authors attempted to replicate previous studies that used the
Frequency (F) scale and the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subscale
of the MMPI to discriminate Vietnam veterans with PTSD from well-adjusted
veterans and mental health professionals who feigned symptoms of PTSD.
Profiles of veterans with PTSD were compared to those of veterans with
non-PTSD psychiatric disorders and veterans with fabricated PTSD symptoms
who sought treatment. Discriminant analysis of F scale and PTSD subscale
scores correctly identified only 43.59% of the subjects, thus failing to
support use of the MMPI in detecting fabricated symptoms of PTSD in a
clinical population.
Abstract Teaser