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The Impact of Faking-Good on the MCMI-III: Implications for Family Court Assessments

The Impact of Faking-Good on the MCMI-III: Implications for Family Court Assessments. Paul Lenny & Greg Dear Edith Cowan University 2005. MCMI-III Background…. Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory – Third Edition (MCMI-III; Millon, Davis, & Millon, 1997).

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The Impact of Faking-Good on the MCMI-III: Implications for Family Court Assessments

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  1. The Impact of Faking-Good on the MCMI-III: Implications for Family Court Assessments Paul Lenny & Greg Dear Edith Cowan University 2005

  2. MCMI-III Background… • Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory – Third Edition (MCMI-III; Millon, Davis, & Millon, 1997). • Brief psychological test - screening for psychological disorders and syndromes • Extensively used in forensic settings (e.g. Family Court assessments)

  3. MCMI-III Custody Profile… • Common profile defined by elevations on: • Desirability Index • Histrionic Scale • Narcissistic Scale • Compulsive Scale • Low scores on all other scales • Elevations usually below clinical range.

  4. Possible causes… • Subclinical elevations on these scales are associated with normal, healthy, personality characteristics • Well-adjusted individuals responding honestly produce subclinical elevations on these scales • Characteristics inherent in these disorders might lead to relationship breakdown and litigious behaviour • Item-structure of the MCMI-III • Artificial elevation due to faking-good – we need to examine this possibility.

  5. Current Study… • Two samples: 60 parents; 78 Students • Randomly assigned: • Honest group: 30 Parents + 33 Students (n=63) • Fake-Good: 30 Parents + 45 Students (n=78) • Honest Group: Answer as honestly as possible • Fake-Good Group: Imagine you are undergoing a Family Court Assessment and answer test items to look like a very good parent

  6. Hypotheses and Analysis… • Desirability, Histrionic, Narcissistic & Compulsive scales significantly higher in fake-good group compared to honest group • Disclosure scale significantly lower in fake-good group compared to honest group • t-tests conducted on scales • Hypotheses supported

  7. Striking Similarity! • When instructed to look like a very good parent, MCMI-III profile remarkably similar to individuals undergoing a custody evaluation • Profile in this setting likely to be artefact of faking-good and not psychopathology… • However…

  8. Ambiguous profile… • Elevations also seen in honest group • Histrionic, Narcissistic, Compulsive individuals may be more likely to terminate relationship and litigate over custody • MCMI-III item structure and adjustments • Difficult profile to interpret • Further research necessary

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