Roberto J. Velasquez

Predictors of Scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory for Ethnically Diverse Female Clients

Predictors of Brief Symptom Inventory scores were identified for an ethnically diverse group of 60 female psychiatric outpatients, with a modal diagnosis of mood disorder. Ethnicity, as well as other variables, were meaningful predictors on the Somatic, Phobia, and Positive Symptom Total scales. Mexican- and African-Americans scored higher than Euro-Americans on these scales. Implications for using this measure with diverse clients in similar settings are discussed.

Hispanic-American MMPI Research (1949-1992): A Comprehensive Bibliography

The purpose of this article is twofold. The first is to outline key events in the history of Hispanic MMPI research. Since 1949, researchers have documented the MMPI performance of Hispanic-Americans in a variety of clinical and nonclinical settings. The second purpose is to present a comprehensive bibliography of Hispanic MMPI research by research setting. A total of 86 studies are listed in this bibliography.

Hispanic‐white MMPI comparisons: Does psychiatric diagnosis make a difference?

Recent research on Blacks or African-Americans in psychiatric settings suggests that Black-White MMPI differences are minimized or eliminated when researchers match or control for key moderator variables, including psychiatric diagnosis. This study attempted to determine whether Hispanic-White MMPI differences are either minimized or eliminated when Hispanics and Whites are matched on three key moderator variables--age, education, and psychiatric diagnosis. Results suggest that even after controlling for these variables, MMPI differences between Hispanics and Whites are evident. Recommendations for culturally sensitive Hispanic MMPI research are presented.

Mmpi Differences among Mexican-American Male and Female Psychiatric Inpatients

The purpose of this study was to examine to what extent Mexican-American male and female psychiatric patients, who share similar DSM-III—R diagnoses, differ on the MMPI. Differences were found on the Infrequency, Masculinity-Femininity, and Paranoia scales, with the 39 men obtaining significantly higher scores than the 21 women. These results, while suggesting possible differences in the phenomenology of depression, also suggest that MMPI differences between Mexican-American men and women may be reflective of culturally-defined sex roles. These results, when taken within the context of Mexican-American MMPI literature, indicate that researchers should always attempt to account for “gender” when conducting cross-ethnic MMPI comparisons. The practice of grouping the MMPIs of Mexican-American men and women for comparison with other ethnic groups should be discontinued in favor of comparisons that consider the effects of gender and ethnicity.

MMPIs of Hispanic, black, and white DSM-III schizophrenics.

The purpose of this study was to compare the MMPI performance of Hispanic, black, and white mental patients who were matched on the psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia. It was hypothesized that ethnic patient groups from a maximum security hospital would not differ significantly on any of the 13 MMPI scales as a result of being equated on psychiatric diagnosis. A secondary purpose was to examine the most frequently occurring two-point high-point codes elicited by each of the ethnic groups. Significant multivariate differences were indicated among the MMPI scales and across ethnic groups. Significant univariate differences were found among the three ethnic groups on six of the 13 MMPI scales. The most frequently occurring two-point high-point code for Hispanic and white groups was the “8-2/2-8” code, while for the black group it was the “6-8/8-6” code. Results were discussed with regard to ethnicity, psychiatric diagnosis, and MMPI performance of ethnic/racial groups.

MMPI PROFILES OF HISPANIC-AMERICAN INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SEX OFFENDERS '

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were significant MMPI differences between 20 inpatient and 20 outpatient Hispanic-American sex offenders and whether their MMPI scores were consistent with those of nonHispanic (i.e., AngloAmericans) sex offenders as reported in the literature. It was hypothesized that Hispanic outpatients would obtain significantly lower scores than inpatients on the Depression and Social Introversion scales. The hypothesis was only partially supported on the latter. An unexpected finding was that outpatients obtained higher Masculinity-Femininity scores than inpatients. While multiple clinical-scale elevations were found for both groups, similarities between Hispanics and nonHispanics were found in over-all profile patterns. The results suggest that there is no “profile for an Hispanic sex offender” and that minimum levels of psychopathology may be reflected in the MMPI scores of Hispanic sex offenders.

MMPI-A PERFORMANCE OF AFRICAN AND MEXICAN AMERICAN ADOLESCENT FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS '

54 African and Mexican American adolescent first-time offenders were examined with the MMPI–A to evaluate ethnic differences. Multivariate analyses by ethnicity and MMPI–A scales (validity, clinical, content, and supplementary scales) were not significant; however, there was a significant univariate difference where African American adolescents scored significantly higher on the Repression scale than the Mexican American group. A greater percentage of within-normal-limits profiles were African American (50%) than Mexican American (25%). Research and clinical implications for using the MMPI–A with these groups are discussed.

MMPI performance of central American refugees and Mexican immigrants.

This study compared the MMPI scores of Central American refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador to those of Mexican immigrants. It was expected that subjects from Guatemala and El Salvador would obtain higher scores on the F, D, Pa, and Sc scales because these subjects came from “war-torn” countries. A multivariate analysis of variance yielded no significant differences between the three groups on any of the validity and clinical scales including F, D, Pa, and Sc. Recommendations for cross-national research ace noted especially in light of the new version, or MMPI-2.

MMPI COMPARISONS OF HISPANIC- AND WHITE-AMERICAN VETERANS SEEKING TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOLISM'

Scores of 29 Hispanic- and 46 white-American alcoholics, who voluntarily sought psychiatric treatment for their alcoholism, were compared on the MMPI. It was hypothesized that Hispanic-American alcoholics would be better adjusted than white alcoholics on the validity and clinical scales of the MMPI. The hypothesis was supported, with Hispanic-Americans obtaining significantly lower scores than white veterans on the Pd, Mf, and Si scales. Hispanic and white patients did not differ on the remaining MMPI scales. The mean two-point code for Hispanic subjects was 2–8 (Depression-Schizophrenia) and for white patients 8-2 (Schizophrenia-Depression).

MMPI-2 profiles of Colombian, Mexican, and Venezuelan university students.

Performances of 82 Colombian, 87 Mexican, and 96 Venezuelan university students and adult community dwellers on Spanish translations of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) were compared. Findings suggest more comprehensive research is required on applications of the MMPI-2 in Latin America and greater consideration of the roles of culture and nationality.