An Examination of the MMPI-2-RF (Restructured Form) With the MMPI-2 and MCMI-III of Child Custody Litigants

Abstract

Psychologists have become increasingly involved with child custody evaluations. These evaluations involve a variety of psychometric instruments, such as the MMPI-2 and MCMI-III, to assess parental fitness. Studies examining psychometric instruments in the child custody context have addressed the MMPI-2 and MCMI-III individually; however, test-taking attitudes across multiple measures have been limited. The present study compared the MCMI-III with the MMPI-2-RF in a sample of 49 child custody litigants, as well as examined how the sample performed on the MMPI-2-RF. Significant correlations were found between MMPI-2-RF Validity Scale L-r, MCMI-III Modifying Index Y, MMPI-2-RF Scale RC9, and MCMI-III Scale 5. Results also showed consistency between T score elevations typically found on MMPI-2 Validity Scales L and K with scales L-r and K-r on the MMPI-2-RF. Mean T scores for the RC Scales demonstrated lower elevations than have been shown with the MMPI-2 Clinical Scales in samples of child custody litigants.

KEYWORDS:

• psychological assessment
• forensic evaluation
• personality disorder
• validity scales