Validation of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI 2) in psychiatric patients and non-patient individuals in Mashhad city, Iran

Introduction: The second edition of the Minnesota Multidimensional Personality Inventory (MMPI 2) is the most widely used objective test for personality assessment and psychological pathology. The main purpose of this study was to validate and prepare for the MMPI-2 test. Materials and Methods: In this study, 210 healthy adults in Mashhad and 160 psychiatric patients aged 19 to 50 years with a medical record in Ibn-e-Sina Psychiatric Hospital in Mashhad were selected from 2007 to 2010. Data were analyzed using descriptive indices, Pearson correlation coefficient, percentile norms, Student T and Cronbach's alpha. Results: Pearson correlation coefficient was reported in all scales except Hysteria (Hy) scale in retest between 0.73 and 0.93. The results show the validity of all scales based on differentiation based on discriminant validity except L scale (lie detector) at the level of 0.01. Also, the validity in each of the scales, except for the Hy (hysteria) scale, is moderate to high. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient in non-sick and sick individuals showed good reliability for all scales except the scales of lie (L), hysteria (Hy), masculinity (Mf m), and femininity (Mf f). Conclusion: The Minnesota Multidimensional Personality Inventory (MMPI 2) has an acceptable validity for use in the Iranian adult community. The researchers and specialists can use this inventory in counseling centers in addition to history and clinical interviews to assess the psychiatric patients.