Changes in Cluster Analysis Subtypes among Alcoholic Personalities after Treatment

Abstract

The authors examined the use of cluster analysis to evaluate the changes in personality subtypes of alcoholics across 30days of inpatient treatmentfor 137females and 388 males. Results at retesting 30 days later showed dramatic overall reduction inpathology, plus general erosion of the distinguishing features of subtypes found at initial testing on the 13 scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-1. A single, enduring Psychopathy scale emerged as the distinguishingfeature of nearly all subgroups at retesting, regardless of initial configuration. Implications for treatment evaluation, classification, and outcome prediction are discussed.