MMPI Pattern Changes in Female Prisoners

Abstract

Some concern has been expressed that personality test results obtained shortly after admission to prison may change after the initial shock of incarceration has lessened. To check this possibil ity the MMPI was administered to fifty female prisoners shortly after admission to prison and again six months later. No signifi cant differences in test-retest scores or profiles were found, al though there was a significant reduction in the variability of the D, Hy, and Mf scales. In this female sample, the concern about the effects of the initial period of incarceration on personality test results was seen to be unfounded.