Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop empirically-based criteria, utilizing the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), to aid in the assessment and diagnosis of combat-related PTSD. Stated differently, the study was intended to develop an MMPI subscale for the assessment of combat-related PTSD in Korea. 105 patients were assigned to a PTSD psychiatric group (n=30), a non-PTSD psychiatric group (n=39), and a normal veteran group (n-32). In addition, 36 non-veteran schizophrenics were included in the study. Standard clinical profiles demonstrated that the PTSD group had no higher subscale than did the non-PTSD psychiatric group. But an MMPI mean profile of PTSD group revealed an 8-7-2 configuration. Furthermore, an MMPI PTSD subscale comprised of 39 items was finally developed in the present study. A discriminant function analysis based on MMPI 13 subscales plus a special PTSD subscale correctly classified 79.71% of the patients in the PTSD group and the non-PTSD psychiatric group. The correct classification ratio, based on PTSD scale only, was 68.12 percent. The discriminant validity of the PTSD subscale and the limitaions of this study are discussed.