The failure to construct an MMPI-2-based self-mutilative behavior scale

Thirty identified self-mutilating patients in a large state mental hospital were compared with 30 patients at the same facility who were matched on the basis of gender, race, and diagnosis but were not identified as self-mutilators. A Multivariate Analysis of Covariance and a two group chi-square analysis were employed to determine if a selected set of variables from the MMPI-2 (Anger, Anxiety, and Depression content scales, and Psychasthenia, Social Introversion, Psychopathic Deviance, Schizophrenia, and Hypomania) could effectively discriminate between the two groups. Neither procedure produced results of statitsical significance. The results of the study are discussed in terms of individual differences and the difficulty of establishing a profile with the MMPI-2 predictive of self-mutilative behavior.