Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Pella, Russell D.
URN	etd-06232009-122944
Title	Evaluation of Embedded Malingering Indices in a Non-Litigating, Relief Seeking Sample: A Partial Cross-Validation Using Control, Clinical, and Derived Groups
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department	Psychology
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Wm. Drew Gouvier Committee Chair Alex Cohen Committee Member Amy Copeland Committee Member Mike Hawkins Committee Member Gary Wise Dean's Representative
Keywords	adhd ld neuropsychology malingering
Date of Defense	2009-04-28
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract Researchers have recently noted college students fail validity measures and base rate data are needed for students meeting Slick et al.’s criteria (1999) for malingering. The association between meeting Slick Criteria and subsequent recommendations (i.e., to receive external gain) is unknown as is the diagnostic utility of embedded validity indices in this population. The authors utilized archival data from: 1) a university psychological clinic (n = 986) and 2) a university student control sample (n = 182). Measures included the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, Wechsler Memory Scale-III, and Personality Assessment Inventory. Empirically supported embedded validity indices were utilized to retrospectively identify suspected malingering patients. Group performance, according to level of symptom credibility and level of incentive seeking, was evaluated through a series of multivariate mean comparisons. Data are presented for frequency of falling in the noncredible range on all validity indices. Diagnostic statistics for each index are presented according to hypothetical base rates. Examination of receiving psychological recommendations to obtain external incentive (i.e., academic accommodations, medications, etc.) is reported according to incentive and credibility level. University patients explicitly seeking external gain, particularly those meeting criteria for malingering, demonstrated lower performance on the measures and received a higher rate of recommendations for academic accommodations and/or medications than patients not seeking external incentive. Nevertheless, a number of diagnostic statistics indicated some embedded validity indices lack specificity for malingering in university samples. The current study supports classifying patients according to level of incentive seeking when evaluating neurocognitive performance and feigned or exaggerated deficits.
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