MMPI-2 Assessment of Differential Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Patterns in Combat Veterans and Sexual Assault Victims

This study compared MMPI-2 profiles and trauma-specific subscales of the MMPI-2 in groups of combat veterans and sexual assault victims. Analyses indicated a trend toward externalizing symptoms for combat veterans and internalizing symptoms for sexual assault survivors. For diagnostic classification purposes, the PS scale was found to best differentiate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases from non-PTSD cases for the combat group, whereas the F-2-8 standard decision rule best differentiated the sexual trauma group from comparisons. These results suggest that type of trauma experienced is a key variable in understanding the patient and dictates the need for different therapeutic focuses. In addition, the results suggest that the MMPI-2 PTSD scales provide a reasonable classification of PTSD status.