Evaluation of personality as a component of the healthy condition of volunteers participating in phase I studies

Objective: The present study was conceived in order to recommend use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for the evaluation of the personality of volunteers participating in Phase I clinical trials. The study was intended to describe personality profiles as objectively as possible, attempting to identify any common traits or tendencies, and to evaluate whether age or cultural background can be associated with significant differences in volunteer personality profiles. Subjects: 358 subjects were evaluated (290 males and 68 females; mean age 30 y, range 18-78 y). Mean values of scales and indices were compared and analysed, both for the sample as a whole and on the basis of its breakdown according to sex, age and education. Results: No psychopathological values were found in terms of sex and education. The mean profile showed common traits of a substantially balanced, self-assured, reliable person, motivated by extremely realistic objectives. Conclusion: The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory seems to be a useful tool for screening healthy volunteers.