Validity of the MMPI with native Americans

A study was conducted to determine the validity of the MMPI for 142 American Indian patients from Pacific Northwest tribes. All the MMPI profiles were similar and had significant elevations in the Sc, Pd, and Pa scales. There was no significant difference between diagnostic groups on many clinical scales. Nonpsychotic, depressed Indian patients could not be distinguished from schizophrenic patients on any clinical scale, and there were no significant differences between antisocial- alcoholic patients and those with situational reactions. There were minimal differences between the Northwest Coast, Plateau, and Plains cultural groups. The authors believe that the similarity of all subgroup profiles demonstrates a significant cultural influence on the results of the MMPI in this population of American Indians.