Characteristics of Depression of Chronically Ill Medical Patients: An Elaboration of Personality Styles

In an earlier study, 13 distinct patterns of depression were found among 132 asthma, tuberculosis, and pain patients. The subscales of scale 2 of the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI) which were developed at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center were the basis for the classification via o-type cluster analysis. The present work projected these patterns to the standard three validity and ten clinical scales of the MMPI. In addition, Dirk's panic-fear and Kleiger's alexithymia scales were scored. It was demonstrated that these 13 patterns of depression had important personality correlates associated with them. A useful point of view to take in medical care of the chronically ill is also offered.