The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Women Domestic Violence Survivors

When a professional psychologist examines a woman domestic violence survivor's Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2; J. N. Butcher, W. G. Dahlstrom, J. R. Graham, A. M. Tellegen, & B. Kaemmer, 1989 ) profile, what unique signs will there be that she suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Existing empirical evidence and diagnostic decision rules for determining the presence of PTSD with the MMPI-2 cannot be applied to domestic violence survivors. The MMPI-2 was administered to 93 women domestic violence survivors. Results suggest that the MMPI-2 is sensitive to PTSD symptoms. Women domestic violence survivors with PTSD generate unique average MMPI-2 profiles. The Defensiveness (K) validity and 1 (Hypochondriasis [Hs]) scales may assist in discriminating between survivors with and without PTSD.