Validation and cross-validation of the PTSD subscale of the MMPI with civilian trauma victims

The 49-item MMPI PTSD Subscale, developed and validated with Vietnam combat veterans, was administered to validation and cross-validation samples of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patients who had experienced non-military traumatic events and to psychiatric controls (total N = 69). Using a cutting score of 19, derived from the validation sample only, the PTSD subscale correctly classified 87% of all validation subjects and 88% of all cross-validation subjects. Results strongly support the utility of MMPI assessment of PTSD with civilian trauma victims as one component of a broad assessment strategy.