Abstract

The current study was conducted to examine the utility of the Korean MMPI-A in discriminating between normal and abnormal adolescents and among different diagnostic groups. MMPI-A profiles of 85 Korean adolescent psychiatric patients were compared with those of 254 Korean adolescents and 713 American adolescent psychiatric patients. Results suggested that the Korean MMPI-A seems to be sensitive to separate general psychiatric sample from a normal group as indicated by scale level and item level comparisons. Scale means of Korean psychiatric sample were significantly higher than those of Korean normal group, with the scales F, D, Hy, Pd, Pa, Hs, DEP, HEA, and FAM showing over one standard deviation separation between the two Korean adolescent groups. Mean scores of Korean psychiatric sample were higher than those of American counterpart, with the scales F, Hs, D, Hy, A-hea, and A-sod showing the highest differences between two national samples. Scales Pd and D were effective in discriminating among conduct disorder group, depression group, and normal sample. For both diagnostic groups as well as total psychiatric sample, neurotic scales (Hs, D, and Hy) were elevated, suggesting neurotic triad may be an underlying or comorbid characteristic in all Korean adolescent psychiatric patients. Compared to normal adolescents, adolescent patients with conduct disorder more frequently reported to have school and family problems and those with depression reported more physical complaints, negative mood, isolation, and pessimism. Comparisons between American and Korean adolescent clinical samples suggested some sociocultural factors. Finally limitations of this study and suggestions for further studies were also discussed.