MPI profile classifications and associated clinical findings among litigating motor vehicle collision patients

OBJECTIVES:: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in pre-, peri-, and post-collision clinical variables across litigating motor vehicle collision (MVC) patients who were classified as dysfunctional (DYS), interpersonally distressed (ID), or adaptive copers (AC) based on Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) profile classifications. METHODS:: A sample of 240 MVC patients who sustained serious physical injuries and experienced MVC-related chronic pain completed the MPI and provided responses to a semi-structured psycholegal interview designed to elicit injury- and pain-related symptoms and treatments, determine the presence and impact of pre-collision experiences, and render psychiatric diagnoses and ratings of psychological disability. RESULTS:: A significant multivariate effect of MPI profile group on post-collision variables was revealed, with the DYS and ID groups reporting more pain sites than the AC group and the DYS group receiving more recommendations for treatment than the AC group. Larger proportions of the DYS and ID groups were diagnosed as experiencing major depressive disorder than the AC group. A rating of total psychological disability was applied most often to members of the ID group, with partial psychological disability applied most often to members of the DYS group, and no psychological disability applied most often to members of the AC group. DISCUSSION:: This study extends the MPI literature by establishing the usefulness of the measure in determining those reports of MVC-related pain and emotional distress that are most likely to be associated with post-collision psychological disability. The current study supports the usefulness of MPI profile classifications in identifying MVC patients who are likely to require and benefit from intensive psychological and other rehabilitative interventions. Language: en