MMPI Profiles of Female Candidates for Obesity Surgery: A Cluster Analytic Approach

BACKGROUND: Early attempts to characterize personality in obese persons led to the conclusion that the severely obese are not homogeneous on personality measures. More recently, cluster analysis procedures have been applied to identify meaningful personality subtypes in populations of persons with severe obesity; some progress has been made in this effort, but researchers have indicated the need for replication in other settings. METHODS: In the present study, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was administered to 163 female candidates for intestinal bypass surgery. RESULTS: Eight clusters were identified. Of the MMPI profiles, 71% were in one of four normal limit clusters. The remainder were distributed across four clusters, all beyond normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: Present and previous results appear to converge on representative personality subtypes in severe obesity. Identification of such meaningful subgroups of candidates for obesity surgery may enhance the prediction of surgery outcomes, and yield a better understanding of personality in severely obese women.