The compare psychological profiles of people based on MMPI-2's scales

Considering the importance of screening and identifying people at risk of mental disorders in order to determine the prevalence of mental disorders and carry out activities to the prevention and treatment, the present study aimed to compare psychological profiles of people based on MMPI-2’s scales according to birth order, age and educational level in general population of 18-80 years old. Current study is analytical- cross sectional. Statistical population included all Iranian people between 18 to 80 years old who had minimum 8 classes of education and had no history of mental illness or brain injury. Among this population, 1418 individuals were selected by ratio sampling method from Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz and Shiraz cities and they were assessed by Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory (MMPI-2). Results showed there is significant difference between people according to their age in scales of L (Lying), D (Depression), Ma (Mania), Pt (Psychastenia), Sc(Schizophrenia), and Si(Social Introversion), and there was significant difference based on level of education in scales of F (Infrequency), K (Defensiveness), Pa (Paranoia), Pt (Psychastenia), Sc (Schizophrenia) and Si (Social Introversion). However, there was no significant differences between individuals based on birth order in validity and clinical scale of MMPI-2. Education and age are important factors which can influence mental health. It can be inferred that people with high level of education in comparison of people with low educational level have fewer mental disorders and higher mental wellbeing. Furthermore, people of different ages show different patterns of mental disorders.