The use of mmpi-2 and rorschach tests in parenting capacity evaluations: a case contribution

Abstract

he evaluation of parenting capacity is an interdisciplinary activity of particular complexity and relevance, especially when there are high conflicts in couples with children which require the intervention of the Judicial Authority.The use of psychodi- agnostic tests, as complementary instruments to clinical and forensic assessment, is crucial in this kind of evaluations.They are able to measure, in a valid and reliable way, personality characteristics, cognitive abilities and relational dynamics of subjects. In this context, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Second Edition (MMPI-2) and the Rorschach, (CS Exner and SRR), are two of the most common psychodiagnostic tests used to assess personality characteristics with robust psychometric properties.The purpose of the present research is to analyze the personality characteristics of couples involved in custody and parenting court evaluations analyzing index and scores gained in MMPI-2 and Rorschach test.There were analyzed 59 parenting couples and results show that psychopathological disorders are present only in one third of the sample while deficits in stress control,emotions,andsocialrelationshiparemorediffused.Somepersonalitycharacteristicslikepsychorigidity,impulsivity,re- activity to secondary advantages, psychophysiological reactions are typically of parents involved in custody court evaluations and can be connected to the founded parenting deficits