The MCMI-III in Child Custody Evaluations

Abstract

This study provides normative data on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) among 259 child custody examinees who were obtained from private practice settings in four different states. The mean MCMI-III profile in this sample was an elevation on Scale Y (Desirability), with subclinical elevations on Scales 4 (Histrionic), 5 (Narcissistic), and 7 (Compulsive). Females scored significantly higher than males on Scales 4,5, and 7. Moreover, mean Base Rate (BR) scores were very low for most scales. With the exception of Scales 4 and 7 for females, the frequency of clinically significant elevations (i.e., BR > 75) on MCMI-III scales was very low among child custody litigants. Results from this study provide empirical support for the position that the MCMI-III does not overpathologize child custody examinees. Some interpretive guidelines are offered to reduce the likelihood of false positive diagnoses on those few scales where such errors may arise. This study provides support for continued use of the MCMI-III in child custody evaluations.