Incremental validity of the MMPI-2 content scales: A preliminary study with brain-injured patients

Objective: To examine the usefulness of the MMPI-2 Content Scales among traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Design: Hierarchical stepwise regression analyses with the SCL-90-R scales as the criterion variables were conducted to determine the incremental validity of the Content Scales beyond the information provided by the Clinical Scales. Participants: 27 persons with moderate to severe TBI who had been discharged to the community from inpatient rehabilitation between 6 months and 4 years before the beginning of the study. Results: The Content Scales accounted for an additional 4% to 36% of the variance of SCL-90-R scales beyond that predicted by the Clinical Scales. Conclusions: interpretation of the Content Scales may be particularly valuable with TBI patients, because they provide an additional avenue for the identification of distressing symptoms.