The contribution of the MMPI-2 to the prediction of the risk of violence

Abstract

The present study analyzes the contribution of the MMPI-2 in the prediction of the risk of violence. 574 participants compose the two groups: the “Homicidal” group, comprising 287 prisoners convicted of homicide and serving sentences in several prisons in Mexico City, and the “Non-criminal” group, comprising 287 participants who did not commit any crime. A total of 215 men and 72 women are in each group. Differences in means were analyzed and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated. The ROC curve is used in the set of scales of the MMPI-2 to assess diagnostic accuracy. The results present the scales with greater potential impact of the risk of violence.