Comparability of the MMPI-2 F(p) and F scales and the SIRS in clinical use with suspected malingerers

A pilot study on the Chinese Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 in detecting feigned mental disorders: Simulators classified by using the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is often used in forensic psychological/psychiatric assessment. This was a pilot study on the utility of the Chinese MMPI-2 in detecting feigned mental disorders. The sample consisted of 194 university students who were either simulators (informed or uninformed) or controls. All the participants were administered the Chinese MMPI-2 and the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms-2 (SIRS-2). The results of the SIRS-2 were utilized to classify the participants into the feigning or control groups. The effectiveness of eight detection indices was investigated by using item analysis, multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results indicated that informed-simulating participants with prior knowledge of mental disorders did not perform better in avoiding feigning detection than uninformed-simulating participants. In addition, the eight detection indices of the Chinese MMPI-2 were effective in discriminating participants in the feigning and control groups, and the best cut-off scores of three of the indices were higher than those obtained from the studies using the English MMPI-2. Thus, in this sample of university students, the utility of the Chinese MMPI-2 in detecting feigned mental disorders was tentatively supported, and the Chinese Infrequency Scale (ICH), a scale developed specifically for the Chinese MMPI-2, was also supported as a valid scale for validity checking.

Detection of malingering: psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the structured interview of reported symptoms-2

BACKGROUND

Malingering detection has emerged as an important issue in clinical and forensic settings. The Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms-2 (SIRS-2) was designed to assess the feigned symptoms in both clinical and non-clinical subjects. The aim of the study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of this scale.

METHODS

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese Version of SIRS-2. In Study one, with a simulation design, the subjects included a. 40 students asked to simulate symptoms of mental illness; b. 40 general psychiatric inpatients and c. 40 students asked to reply to questions honestly. Scales scores for feigning symptoms among three groups were carried out for discriminant validity of the Chinese Version of SIRS-2. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2(MMPI-2) was administered in 80 undergraduate students. In Study two, with a known-groups comparison design, scales scores for feigning symptoms were compared between 20 suspected malingerers and 80 psychiatric outpatients from two forensic centers using the Chinese Version of SIRS-2.

RESULTS

The Chinese Version of SIRS-2 demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency in both study one and two. In study one, criterion validity of this scale was supported by its significantly positive correlation with the MMPI-2 (r = 0.282 ~ 0.481 for Infrequency), and by its significantly negative correlation with the MMPI-2 (r = -0.255 ~ -0.519 for Lie and -0.205 ~ 0.391 for Correction). Scores of 10 out of 13 subscales of the Chinese Version of SIRS-2 for simulators were significantly higher than scores of honest students and general psychiatric patients. In study two, the mean scores of the Chinese Version of 13 subscales for suspected malingerers were significantly higher than those of psychiatric outpatients. For discriminant validity, it yielded a large effect size (d = 1.80) for the comparison of the participant groups in study one and two. Moreover, the sensitivity (proportion of malingerers accurately identified by the measure) and specificity (proportion of people accurately classified as responding honestly) of the Chinese version of SIRS-2 in the detection of malingering in these two studies are acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

The Chinese version of the SIRS-2 has good psychometric properties and is a valid and reliable tool for detection of malingering in Chinese populations.

A Comparative Analysis of MMPI-2 Malingering Detection Models Among Inmates

There are several strategies, or models, for combining the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) validity indicators to detect malingered psychiatric symptoms. Some scholars have recommended that an elevated F (Infrequency) score should be followed by the inspection of Fp (Infrequency—Psychopathology), whereas a recent meta-analysis indicated that Fp and Ds (Gough’s Dissimulation Scale) should be examined. For correctional settings, one model of malingering suggests that F, Fp, and F - K (Gough’s Dissimulation Index) should be inspected for one or more elevated scores. Although a large body of research has examined malingering detection with the MMPI-2, this research has typically focused on the contributions of individual validity indicators to differentiate malingered from genuine psychiatric symptoms. Therefore, the current study compared these models of malingering detection on the MMPI-2. Inmate simulators were contrasted with inmates who were hospitalized for psychiatric treatment. Results from classification and logistic regression analyses supported the sequential use of F and Fp in malingering detection.

Sensitivity and Specificity of MMPI-2 Validity Scales and Indicators to Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction in Traumatic Brain Injury

The present study used a known-groups design to determine the classification accuracy of 10 MMPI-2 validity scales and indicators in the detection of cognitive malingering in traumatic brain injury. Participants were 259 traumatic brain injury and 133 general clinical patients seen for neuropsychological evaluation. The TBI patients were subdivided into groups based on a comprehensive examination of effort following Slick, Sherman, and Iverson's (1999) criteria. More extreme scores demonstrated excellent specificity; often impressive sensitivity was seen even while maintaining a low false positive error rate. Specificity was good even in stroke, memory disorder, and psychiatric patients without incentive. The results of this study are presented in frequency tables that can be easily referenced in clinical practice.

Psychopathy and malingering of psychiatric disorder in criminal defendants

Because the use of deception is an important clinical characteristic of psychopathy, there is intuitive appeal to the idea that psychopathy and malingering are associated. There is, however, very little research showing that psychopaths are more likely to malinger. We classified a sample of criminal defendants as high, moderate, or low in psychopathy, based on PCL-R scores, and compared their scores on indices typically used to detect malingering on the MMPI-2, the PAI and the SIRS. The high psychopathy group scored significantly higher on the MMPI-2 F and F-K; the PAI NIM, and the SIRS, but not the MMPI-2 Fb, F(p), or the PAI RDF or Mal, lending some support for the DSM-IV recommendation that malingering should be considered whenever there is a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. Logistic regression analysis (LGA) revealed that Factor I but not Factor II of the PCL-R significantly discriminated malingerers from nonmalingerers with 75% correct classification. However, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that psychopathy ratings had poor sensitivity and specificity in the detection of malingering. Calculation of the percentages of those exceeding accepted cut-offs on each of the malingering measures revealed that a high percentage of severe psychopaths did not attempt to feign psychiatric disorder. The results suggest that psychopathy is not a clinically useful indictor of malingering. The results are discussed in terms of confirmatory bias and the impact such a bias could have on the evaluation of criminal defendants.

Response style and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a review

Response style is an important issue that is often not addressed when assessing or treating patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this paper, various response styles are discussed along with their relevance to clinical work and research with PTSD patients. Two of the most prevalent measures of response style, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS) scales are evaluated for use in assessing for PTSD. In addition, the Trauma Symptom Inventory's potential for use in evaluating response style is briefly discussed. Implications for future work and directions for future investigation are outlined.

The relationship between malingerers' intelligence and MMPI-2 knowledge and their ability to avoid detection

One of the most frequently administered psychometrics is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Occasionally, those participants taking the MMPI-2 will malinger or exaggerate their symptoms. Several malingering detection devices are available, and a significant body of literature exists concerning their efficacy. However, little research is available considering those factors that facilitate successfully evading detection as a malingerer. Some of these studies have identified general intelligence and knowledge of the MMPI-2 as key variables in the likelihood of escaping detection as a malingerer. The extant research considered the utility of general intelligence and knowledge of the MMPI-2 as predictors in avoiding detection as a malingerer. To detect malingering, the two traditional detection devices were employed: the F-Scale and the F - K Index. Results indicate that intelligence and MMPI-2 knowledge contribute significantly to the likelihood of successfully escaping detection as a malingerer.