Diagnostic accuracy of actuarial and one-point MMPI code systems with college students

• Published in: Journal of clinical psychology 1983-01, Vol.39 (1), p.58-66
• Main Authors: Schwarz, Raymond M., Green, Samuel B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adjustment Disorders - diagnosis; Adolescent; Adult; Counseling; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders - diagnosis; Mental Disorders - psychology; MMPI; Neurotic Disorders - diagnosis; Psychometrics; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Social Behavior Disorders - diagnosis
• ISSN: 0021-9762; 1097-4679
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-4679(198301)39:1<58::AID-JCLP2270390111>3.0.CO;2-J

Assessed the applicability of standard clinical interpretations of the MMPI within a college counseling center. The relative classification rates and diagnostic accuracy of four actuarial and two one‐point code systems for the MMPI were evaluated. Two hundred and five female and 207 male college students were administered MMPIs. In addition, independent diagnoses were obtained on each student. Diagnoses were made on the basis of each of the code type systems. The results indicated that (a) only the one‐point code systems classified a large percentage of students who were diagnosed as neurotic, psychotic, or behavior disorder; (b) the accuracy of differential diagnosis among these psychiatric categories was at a satisfactory level for both male and female students with only the Gynther, Altman, and Sletten (1973a) and one‐point code systems; and (c) the Gilberstadt and Duker (1965) and one‐point code systems classified and excessively large percentage of students with minor adjustment problems as being neurotic, psychotic, or behavior disorder.