Some Patterns of Depression by James O'Connor

Abstract

The aim of the study to find out the factors included in a MMPI D scale. The study also aims to identify what are these incorporated dimensions. The researcher focused the study on 300 white males which were veteran and neuropsychiatric hospital patients. The research paper includes a discussion of the method and the complete study along with comparison of the factors established with the previous studies. In the end, the paper concludes with an interpretation of the results of the study.

Some Patterns of Depression by James O'Connor

Introduction

In the evaluation of various studies, Cottle has concluded that depression scale is one of the most imperative one. Other theorists and scientists have considered it as a display of the significance of personality disintegration and accordingly as one of the most perceptive scale in the field of psychiatric therapy. Different factor analytic studies pertaining to MMPI (Cook, 1950, Cottle, 1950, Tyler, 1951, Wheeler, 1951 & Williams, 1954) have been limited to the correlations which are inter-scale. They put forth that D is functionally composite. Majority of these studies has deferred two factors which have high D loading. These factors; however, appear to be second order factors established at the first level. The study is therefore conducted to discern the number of factors in MMPI D scale as well as labels of these dimensions.

Method

The respondents of this study included 300 white males which were veteran and neuropsychiatric hospital patients. These had mixed diagnosis and were managed sort of MMPI as a constituent of standard admissions battery. The average age of these subjects was 32.36 years and 7.35 years standard deviation. The method included the computation of “Tetrachoric correlation coefficients” between the items of 60D scale. Those items which had marginal frequency below ten percent or had consistently low correlations were omitted.

Subsequently, a 49 x 49 matrix was formulated through the method of centroid. Five factors were taken out. The mean absolute value of fifth factor residuals was 0.73 and distribution was proportioned symmetrically about zero. The orthogonal factors were turned around at an angle such that an uncomplicated arrangement was estimated. The inter-correlations among prime dimensions were parted and turned around for the purpose of determining likely factors of second order.

Results & Discussion

The items which have loading of 0.35 are dealt with primary attention. Majority of the items which has a notable correlation with the factor A and which demonstrate insignificant loadings on the rest of the factor are related with general ill health. These items included the statements which entailed a refusal of the points such as never felt better and able to work as ever. This is supplemented by the account of disturbed and restless sleep, nausea, vomiting, stress and feeling too much weak.

Items in which the subject refuses to both that his memory appears to be alright and that the decision is improved than ever are also related to factor A. This factor is construed as the one which reflects ...