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Abstract:
The present study compared MMPI-2 profiles of lesbian domestic violence batterers to the MMPI-2 profiles of lesbian non-batterers. One-way ANOVAS were conducted to compare the means of the lesbian batterers group with means of the lesbian normals group. Hypotheses results yielded significance for Psychopathic Deviant (Pd) Scale, which are consistent with heterosexual male batterers scores (Flournoy & Wilson, 1991). Analysis of other clinical and validity scales yielded significance on the following scales: Lie (L), Infrequency (F), Correction (K), Psychasthenia (Pt), Schizophrenia (Sc), Hypomania (Ma), and Social Introversion (Si). Results indicated that lesbian domestic violence batterers view the world differently than other lesbians. They may have a higher disregard for social norms and may have more impulsivity than other lesbians. They may feel as if they are unreasonably treated, have a tendency to misinterpret others' motives, and take things personally (Friedman, Lewak, Nichols, & Webb, 2001). The results of the present study also suggest that lesbian batterers may be more inhibited and serious and have the tendency to take setbacks badly (Friedman et al., 2001). Limitations of the research included the small sample size—there were 30 participants in both groups—and the unknown severity of abuse, the unknown duration of perpetration, and past victimization. Lesbian batterers also utilized impression management as indicated with Scale F clinical elevation, which is not surprising considering impression management is also demonstrated in the MMPI-2 profiles of male domestic violence batterers. Future studies examining lesbian domestic violence batterers could use a larger number of participants who are more closely matched between the groups. Special populations based on ethnicity could also be considered as the focus of future research on perpetrators of domestic violence. Future studies using the MMPI-2 and lesbian domestic violence batterers could concentrate on the differing levels of abuse that batterers inflict. In addition, other methods of personality assessment, both objective and projective, could be used in future research on lesbian domestic violence batterers.
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