A meta-analytic review of the MMPI validity scales and indexes to detect defensiveness in custody evaluations

Abstract

Background/Objective: In child custody disputes, one of the remit of the forensic psychologist is to evaluate parental attributes while suspecting defensiveness. The instrument of choice for undertaking this double task is the MMPI. Method: As to establish the state of the art on this, a meta-analysis was undertaken with a total of 32 primary studies from which 256 effect sizes were assessed. A meta-analysis was undertaken, effect sizes were corrected for sampling error and criterion unreliability. Results: The results revealed a positive, significant, large and generalizable mean true effect size for the L, K, S and MP scales, and the L + K and L + K-F indexes. The Wsd was positive, significant and large, but not generalizable. A negative and significant, but not generalizable mean true effect size was found for the F and generalizable for F–K index. The effect sizes for the L, K, S and MP scales, and the L + K and L + K-F indexes were equal. Both the gender of parents (father vs. mother) and the context of evaluation (parent child custody disputes vs. parenting capacity) were assessed as moderators. Conclusions: The results are discussed in relation to forensic practice.

Parenting Styles and Aggressive Adolescents: Relationships with Self-esteem and Personal Maladjustment

“…The two-dimensional, four-style theoretical framework allows parenting scholars to examine parenting socialization and its adjustment and competence correlates across different countries, settings, and sociodemographic characteristics, in order to make specific hypotheses about the best parenting style that scholars can test and replicate. It should be cautious about the cross-sectional design because it does not determine causality, although it links parenting in raising children, aggressiveness predisposition, and competence and adjustment in adolescents (Fariña, Redondo, Seijo, Novo, & Arce, 2017). The present findings should be considered preliminary because they are not based on longitudinal or experimental evidence.…”

Early Narratives of Desistance from Crime in Different Prison Regimes

“…In a forensic context, it has been pointed out that the answers of individuals involved in the judicial system, such as imprisoned offender, may be systematically distorted by hiding negative characteristics (Arce, Fariña, & Vilariño, 2015) and falsely assuming positive ones (Fariña, Redondo, Seijo, Novo, & Arce, 2017). Such distortions would be higher when individuals' responses have negative consequences for them, as is the case of a worse prison classification or denials of leave permits.…”

Relación entre dependencia emocional y maltrato psicológico en forma de victimización y agresión en jóvenes

“…Por último, debemos ser precavidos en la interpretación de los resultados, pues la extensión total de los cuestionarios aplicados pudo haber provocado fatiga en los participantes. Además, las respuestas de los participantes es posible que estén sujetas a un sesgo de respuestas, disimulación, entendida como la asunción de una imagen positiva por deseabilidad social (Impresión Management antes mencionada) (Fariña, Redondo, Seijo, Novo, y Arce, 2017).…”