MCMI-III Results for Batterer Program Participants in Four Cities: Less “Pathological” Than Expected

Previous research using diagnostic inventories describe the extent and nature of psychopathology among batterers. MCMI-III scores from batterers in a multisite program evaluation (n = 840) were used to replicate this previous research. As in previous batterer research using the MCMI-I and MCMI-II, the MCMI-III results suggest a complex diversity of psychological problems that does not readily conform to previous profiles. However, less than half of the men had scores suggesting a personality disorder (BR scores 85), as opposed to 80% in a previous batterer study using the MCMI-II. Only one quarter of the men (25%) show evidence of a severe mental disorder. Narcissistic or antisocial tendencies were evident in 39% of our batterer sample, reflecting the sense of entitlement often attributed to batterers. Voluntary, as opposed to court-referred men, were more likely to have depressive and dependent tendencies and evidence of severe disorders. Our multisite sample appears to be less pathological than previous batterer samples and samples of psychiatric or drug outpatients.     

MCMI Results for Batterers: Gondolf Replies to Dutton's Response

Dutton [Dutton, D. (2003). J. Fam. Violence 18: 253–255] dismissed Gondolf's MCMI subscale results from batterer program participants because of the inadequacies of the MCMI and how it was used. In this reply, Gondolf argues that Dutton's criticisms of the MCMI are debatable and the criticisms of the study methods are mistaken. It remains curious, to the author, why evidence for the abusive personality is not more evident in personality scales.