Venezuelans’ Report on the MMPI-2 RC Scales When Simulating a Pain Scenario

Authors

Berenice Saez, Stephen F. Austin State University
Luis E. Aguerrevere, Stephen F. Austin State UniversityFollow
Robert J. Polewan, Stephen F. Austin State University
Roselia Juan, Stephen F. Austin State University
Rebecca Recio Swift, Stephen F. Austin State University
Timothy J. Swift, Stephen F. Austin State University

Abstract

When experiencing a painful injury, some Latino subcultures (e.g., Puerto Ricans) tend to report more psychological distress than other Latinos and Caucasians. The purpose of this paper was to determine if Venezuelans, like Puerto Ricans, report higher levels of psychological discomfort when pretending to be in pain, when compared to Latinos and Caucasians living in the U.S. In this study, participants were asked to complete the MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales in standard fashion and while pretending they have been in continuous pain for six months. Venezuelans scored significantly higher on RC1 and significantly lower on RC4 than the other groups when pretending to be in pain. The current results suggest that Venezuelans may feel comfortable reporting emotional stress via physical complaints and do not see themselves as acting antisocially as the result of a painful injury. Clinical implications are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Saez, Berenice; Aguerrevere, Luis E.; Polewan, Robert J.; Juan, Roselia; Swift, Rebecca Recio; and Swift, Timothy J. (2019) "Venezuelans’ Report on the MMPI-2 RC Scales When Simulating a Pain Scenario," Archives of Assessment Psychology: Vol. 9, Article 4.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/psyassessment/vol9/iss1/4