1. A Comparative Evaluation of Korean MMPI-A and MMPI-A-RF Substance Abuse Scales
Jacob V. White, Nathan C. Weed, & Kyunghee Han
Central Michigan University

2. Introduction
Although a Korean translation of the MMPI-A has been published, no psychometric studies of its substance abuse scales have been completed.
This is an especially important concern because alcohol abuse in Korean adolescents is a recognized problem within the country.
Publication of the MMPI-A-RF provided an additional measure of substance abuse, making an evaluation and comparison of Korean MMPI substance abuse scales especially timely.

3. Key Questions
Q1. How do the psychometrics of the MMPI-A and MMPI-A-RF substance abuse scales compare in Korean samples?
Q2. Which Korean MMPI-A and MMPI-A-RF scales correlate highest with SUB, ACK, PRO, and MAC-R?
Q3. How do the MMPI-A and MMPI-A-RF substance abuse scales compare in predicting Korean adolescent substance abuse?

4. Sample Characteristics & Measures
Korean Normative Sample
Korean Clinical Sample
N = 1,534
Participant data were representative of census data in terms of gender, geography, and grades.
N = 237
Participant data were excluded if measures were incomplete or validity scales were elevated.

5. Measures Korean Normative Sample Administered in Both Samples
Biographical Information Form
Life Events Form
Peer Rating Form
Administered in Both Samples
Korean MMPI-A
Korean Clinical Sample
Therapist Rating Form
Medical Records Form

6. Question 1: Psychometrics of Korean Substance Abuse Scales

7. Question 1: Psychometrics of Korean Substance Abuse Scales

8. Question 1: Psychometrics of Korean Substance Abuse Scales
SUB Scale Item Endorsement Frequencies
Percent of Normative Sample
Percent of Clinical Sample
Drug or Alcohol Problem
20.4
12.2
Excessive Alcohol Use
10.5
8.0
Marijuana Use
4.1
2.1
Drinking Too Frequently
8.2
6.3
Notes. The normative sample contained (n = 1518) participants. The clinical sample contained (n = 237)
participants.

9. Question 2: MMPI Scale Correlates with Substance Abuse Scales

10. Question 3: Prediction of Substance Abuse

11. Key Findings Q1.Psychometric Comparison
The marijuana item on SUB is of questionable utility in assessing Korean adolescent substance abuse.
The SUB scale’s internal cohesiveness replicates across cultures.
Q2. Substance Abuse Scale Correlates
Scales assessing externalizing behavior were consistently the highest scale correlates of all the substance abuse scales.
MAC-R and PRO had correlates suggesting hypomanic activation and social consequences of substance abuse, respectively.
Q3. Substance Abuse Prediction
SUB was clearly the best single predictor of alcohol use in the Korean samples.
Korean clinicians interested in assessing adolescent substance abuse ​should probably consider using SUB only.

12. Questions?