Internal consistency and structure of the MMPI-2 substance abuse scales

Author(s): Lucio, E.

Journal/Book: Salud Ment. 1999; 22: Calz Mexico-Xochimilco #101, Mexico City 22 DF, Mexico. Inst Mex Psiquiatria. 14-19.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the internal consistency and structure of the addiction scales of the MMPI-2: the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised (MAC-R), the Addiction Acknowledgment Scale (AAS) and the Addiction Potential Scale (APS). Another objective of the study is to assess the differences between the mean scores of the Mexican alcoholic and of the volunteer subjects, in order to find out if the alcohol scales of the MMPI-2 discriminate adequately between both groups. The inventory was administered to two samples of Mexican population; the first group consisted of 136 male subjects who had alcoholism problems and a second group of 860 male volunteers. The t Student test was calculated in order to identify the differences between the means in both groups; the internal consistency of the addiction scales was calculated by the alpha Cronbach test, and the internal structure was estimated by factor analysis. The results indicate the existence of differences between the group of normal subjects and that of the alcoholic patients in the addiction scales (MAC-R, APS and AAS). The mean scores of the alcoholic patients are higher than those of the volunteer subjects. The alpha Cronbach coefficient obtained by both groups in the addiction scales show an adequate internal consistency, which indicates that the scales are also reliable for the Mexican population. With respect to the factorial analysis, results indicate that the addiction scales show validity in Mexican alcoholics. From these results it may be concluded that: the MMPI-2 is adequate to identify personality traits in alcoholic patients, which are different from other group personality traits. Addiction scales also clearly discriminate one group from the other.

Note: Article Leon I, Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Fac Psicol, Div Estudios Posgrado, Av Univ 3004, Mexico City 04510, DF, MEXICO

Keyword(s): addictions; alcoholism; MMPI-2; internal consistency; internal structure; MACANDREW SCALE; ALCOHOLISM; SCORES

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