The Multiscale Dissociation Inventory (MDI) is a comprehensive, self-administered, multiscale instrument developed by Paul F. Dell.[1] It is designed to assess the domain of dissociative phenomena.[2] The MDI measures 14 major facets of pathological dissociation and uses 23 scales to diagnose dissociative disorders.[1][3]
Dissociation is a term used to describe the disconnection between mental processes that are ordinarily integrated, including disconnection of the conscious self to physical sensations, emotional reactions, or behaviors.[4][2][5] For example, an individual may show dissociative symptoms by displaying no reaction to the death of a valued loved one, by noting that life feels unreal, by disowning all or part of the body, or by claiming amnesia for an important event or an aspect of life.[2][6]
Assessment
The MDI was designed for clinical research and for diagnostic assessment of patients who present with a mixture of dissociative, post-traumatic, and borderline symptoms.[1][7]
MDI aims to achieve internal consistency and provide both convergent and discriminant validity,[7] by exerting a 5-factor structure of the MDI, which includes Disengagement, Identity Dissociation, Emotional Constriction, Memory Disturbance, and Depersonalization/Derealization.[7][9]
The inclusion of the Multiscale Dissociation Inventory (MDI) in clinical practice can be useful in populations known to be vulnerable to complex trauma.[1][7][8][5]
^ abcdDell, Paul F. (2006). "The Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation (MID): A Comprehensive Measure of Pathological Dissociation". Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. 7 (2): 77–106. doi:10.1300/J229v07n02_06. PMID16769667.
^ abcBernstein, EVE M.; Putnam, Frank W. (1986). "Development, Reliability, and Validity of a Dissociation Scale". The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 174 (12): 727–735. doi:10.1097/00005053-198612000-00004. PMID3783140.
^ abDalenberg, Constance; Naish, Brandi; Abu-Rus, Ana (7 May 2021). "Dissociation, Dissociative Disorder, and Their Treatment". Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan. pp. 1–26. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_177-1. ISBN978-3-319-62122-7.
^Dorahy, Martin J.; Brand, Bethany L.; Şar, Vedat; Krüger, Christa; Stavropoulos, Pam; Martínez-Taboas, Alfonso; Lewis-Fernández, Roberto; Middleton, Warwick (2014). "Dissociative identity disorder: An empirical overview". Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 48 (5): 402–417. doi:10.1177/0004867414527523. hdl:2263/43470. PMID24788904.
^ abcdefJeffirs, Stephanie M.; Petri, Jessica M.; Camden, Abigail A.; Jackson, Brianna N.; Weathers, Frank W. (2023). "Psychometric evaluation of the multiscale dissociation inventory (MDI): A replication and extension in two trauma-exposed samples". European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. 7 (2). doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2023.100324.