Journal of clinical psychology
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Little and Fisher (1958) have demonstrated that the MMPI Hysteria (Hy) scale consists primarily of items that address the denial of psychological problems (the DN scale) and items that involve the admission of physical problems (the AD scale). The traditional interpretation of an elevated Hy score implies that both DN and AD subscales are elevated significantly. ⋯ It was found unwarranted to suggest the presence of hysteroid features on the basis of an elevated HY score unless scales K and HS also were elevated. The value of the HY scale as a measure of psychological denial associated with physical complaints must be considered questionable.