Es scale level and correlates of MMPI elevation: alcohol abuse vs. MMPI scores in treated alcoholics

Examined the impact of MMPI Ego Strength (Es) level on the size of Pearson correlation coefficients computed between scores for posttreatment alcohol use and MMPI scores on standard and research scales and indices in a group of 54 (45 men, 9 women, mean age 41.3 years) treated alcoholics. In line with theoretical expectations, no significant (p greater than .05) coefficients were found in the group of high Es scorers (T scores above 50; N = 30) for any of the MMPI variables. In contrast, about one-half of the coefficients in the low Es group (T scores below 50; N = 24) were significant (p less than or equal to .05): All were in the expected direction; the more intensive the alcohol use, the higher the MMPI scores. The low and high Es groups did not significantly differ in respect to age, education, gender ratio, and posttreatment alcohol use (t-tests, p greater than .05).