MMPI-2 data for Australian Vietnam Veterans with combat-related PTSD

Abstract

Considerable attention has been devoted to the MMPI in the assessment of combat-related PTSD. To date, published data have focused almost exclusively on American Vietnam veterans. This study investigated MMPI-2 profiles of 100 Australian Vietnam veterans admitted to an intensive PTSD treatment program. Comparisons with United States (U.S.) data suggested strong similarities between the American and Australian populations in terms of F-scale elevations and typical 3-point code types (8-7-2). However, the American samples showed relatively higher elevations of Scales 4 and 6, suggesting social alienation and a tendency to externalize, while a subgroup of Australian veterans showed a greater propensity for somatization (Scale 1). The results provide overall support for the generalizability of American MMPI data to an alternative cultural group of combat veterans.