Validity of the MMPI (Minnesota Multi-Phasic Personality Inventory) Prison Maladjustment Scale in Identifying Disciplinary Transfers Among Federally Incarcerated Male Offenders

• NCJ Number: 79375
• Journal: Psychological Reports Volume: 49 Issue: 1 Dated: (August 1981) Pages: 32-34
• Author(s): R B White
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The study investigates the ability of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory's (MMPI's) Prison Maladjustment scale to differentiate between disciplinary transfer and nontransfer minimum-security Federal prisoners.

Abstract

Subjects were 25 disciplinary transfers and 25 adjusted inmates from a facility housing adult male offenders. Each subject completed the MMPI, which was then scored for the maladjustment scale. There was no difference between the two groups scores on the scale or on comparisons of other correctional data, age, and ethnic background. It appears that the scale alone or in combination with other data will be a poor predictor of transfer. Also, the transfer rate was so low as to make accurate prediction from any criteria extremely unlikely. Two references are supplied. (Author abstract modified)