A New MMPI-Derived Indicator of Liability to Develop Schizophrenia: Evidence from the New York High-Risk Project

Abstract

A large body of research indicates that the liability to develop schizophrenia is largely genetically mediated, although phenotypic expression requires environmental triggers/insults and/or epigenetic and/or stochastic factors. In an effort to identify the precise environmental factors that precipitate a predisposition to schizophrenia, researchers have implemented a high-risk model-the prospective study of offspring born to schizophrenic parents. As it is difficult to ascertain exactly which of the "high-risk" participants will actually develop the disorder, we examined the validity of an experimental MMPI scale, Schizophrenia Proneness (SzP), and the Moldin-Gottesman psychometric index to identify such individuals. Results suggest that the SzP scale can be an effective predictor of schizophrenia-related psychoses. A revised psychometric index is offered for further study.