How to prove your ex is a compulsive antisocial masochist
Posted June 10th, 2016.
Categories: Custody Tips, Family Law.
If the judge orders you and your ex-spouse (or ex-partner) to be tested by a psychologist as part of your child custody case, you may be given a test known as the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III, known as the MCMI-III for short.
The MCMI-III is one of a number of personality tests given to parents involved in child custody fights. It is frequently administered by psychologists, along with (or as an alternative to) to the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), which we spoke about in yesterday’s blog.
The MCMI-III looks at 14 different personality disorders. These include depressive, dependent, histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial, sadistic, compulsive, negativistic and masochistic. They also explore severe personality pathology including schizophrenic, borderline personality disorder, and paranoid.
In fact, the MCMI-III tests for a number of behavioral syndromes, such as anxiety, bipolar manic behavior, drug or alcohol dependence, and post-traumatic stress disorder. On the more severe level, the test pinpoints cases of major depression or delusional disorders.
Of course, no single psychological test should be used to define a parent’s personality, nor should the judge base her entire decision on one psychological test result. But the MCMI-III is a valuable diagnostic tool for establishing the personality attributes of each of the parents, especially in a hotly contested custody case.
If you wish to challenge the results of an MCMI-III test, be aware that many critics say the test is oversimplified, that the multiaxial model on which it is based has not been proven to be accurate, and that psychologists can manipulate the results by exercising bias in the way they interpret the results. You may want to consult with an experienced attorney or an expert psychological witness to develop any of these arguments.
