An Application of an MMPI Classification System for Predicting Outcome in a Small Clinical Sample of Alcoholics

The purpose of this study was to apply Conley and Prioleau's MMPI classification system to predict drinking and adjustment outcome for a sample of 113 inpatient alcoholics. Although a dual grouping (termed "reactive" and "essential") of the original six MMPI subtypes was found to be more useful for this sample size, the findings, nevertheless, supported the predictive value of this MMPI classification system. The "essential" group, derived from a triad of Psychopathic and Schizoform MMPI types was rated as drinking significantly more often during 4 years after treatment than the "reactive" group, derived from a triad of Neurotic and Classic MMPI types (Fisher's p =. 02). Females classified as the "essential" MMPI group were rated as having significantly poorer adjustment (Fisher's p =. 007) than females classified as the "reactive" MMPI group.