[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] 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.
[7][8][3] Specifically, MDI exhibits incremental validity over the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES).
[4][7][8] 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.