Date of Award

1996

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This study investigated the validity of the PK and PS scales of the MMPI-2 as it relates specifically to PTSD and incest. The sample consisted of 51 women with a diagnosis of PTSD in therapy which related to their experiences of incest during childhood, 26 women in therapy without a history of incest or diagnosis of PTSD, and 26 non-clinical women who volunteered to participate. Each woman was administered the MMPI-2. Scores on the PK and PS scales were compared among and between the PTSD and non-PTSD groups. Two null hypotheses were tested, each of which was tested twice, once for each of the MMPI-2 scales tested. Significant differences (p $\le$.05) were found between the scores of the PTSD and non-PTSD groups, and an optimal cutoff score was determined for both scales. Post hoc analysis indicated relationships between the duration of the incest, physical violence experienced along with the sexual abuse, and the intensity of scores on the PK scale. It was concluded that the high scores on the PK and PS scales are indicative of PTSD in women tested with the MMPI-2. Implications for practice and further research are discussed.

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