Sex Differences on the MMPI–2 Substance Abuse Scales in Psychiatric Inpatients

Abstract

Sex differences on the MMPI–2 addiction scales (MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale–Revised, Addiction Acknowledgement Scale, Addiction Potential Scale) and their ability to distinguish between substance-abusing and nonabusing psychiatric inpatients were examined. Men obtained higher mean raw scores than women on the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale–Revised and the Addiction Acknowledgement Scale, and substance abusers scored higher on all three scales. Even relatively low cutoff scores, however, on the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale–Revised resulted in false negative rates of 37 to 39%. The results support the utility of the MMPI–2 substance abuse scales; however, lower cutoff scores should be used with women and within a psychiatric population.