POSTTREATMENT STABILITY OF THE MCMI-II PERSONALITY-SCALES IN DEPRESSED OUTPATIENTS

The sensitivity of personality measurement to emotional state has been indicated in several studies. This study explored the effect of depressive state on personality assessment with the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II (MCMI-II). Posttreatment assessment showed significant decrease in scores on the schizoid, avoidant, self-defeating, and schizotypal personality scales when contrasted with pretreatment assessment. Reduction in scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was correlated with reduced scores on the schizoid and the self-defeating scales, and with increased scores on the narcissistic scale. These findings are discussed in respect to methodology, previous studies, and theoretical considerations.