Varying Cautionary Instructions, Monetary Incentives, and Comorbid Diagnostic Training in Malingered Psychopathology Research

Abstract

In this article, we combine two analogue experiments in which we empirically examined three malingering methodological issues in individuals trained and instructed to simulate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI; Briere, 1995). In Experiment 1, we examined TSI scale effects of the following manipulations using a 2 x 2 design with 330 college students: (a) inclusion or exclusion of cautionary instructions regarding believability of participants' simulation and (b) different financial incentive levels. In Experiment 2, we examined comorbid psychiatric diagnostic training with 180 college students who were either trained to simulate PTSD and comorbid major depressive disorder or trained to simulate only PTSD. Caution main effects were significant for all but two TSI Clinical Scales, incentive main effects and interactions were only significant for one Clinical scale each, and the comorbidity manipulation did not yield any scale differences. We discuss malingering research design implications regarding the use of cautionary instructions, financial incentive levels, and comorbid training.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Controversies, Diagnosis, and Malingering

“…Rosen et al ( 2006 ) cautioned its use in settings in which secondary gain is a factor. Results from multiple studies that were described by Morel ( 2010 ) concord with this conclusion (e.g., Efendov et al 2008 ;Elhai et al 2007 ). Morel did not review another PTSD self-report measure that includes validity scales, the DAPS.…”

Do Motivations for Malingering Matter? Symptoms of Malingered PTSD as a Function of Motivation and Trauma Type

“…The risk of developing PTSD varies extensively depending on trauma exposure (i.e., generally 8-58% of trauma victims, with higher rates associated with sexual abuse and combat; see Rosen et al 2010). Unfortunately, PTSD also is a disorder characterized by malingering, where the subjective nature of trauma assessment leaves symptoms vulnerable to "faking" (e.g., Elhai et al 2007;Iverson and Lange 2006). In this context, malingering refers to the intentional exaggeration or production of feigned physical/psychological symptoms of PTSD in order to obtain some external reward (i.e., avoiding criminal responsibility, compensation, attention ;Rosen 2004;Rubenzer 2009;Singh et al 2007).…”

Investigating Differences in Truthful and Fabricated Symptoms of Traumatic Stress over Time

“…Ultimately, it appears that symptom profiles for PTSD are subjective and potentially easy to fake, especially when the respondent is knowledgeable about the disorder (e.g., Bury and Bagby 2002;Elhai et al 2007;Morel 2008). Burges and McMillan (2001) suggested that this is particularly a problem when participants are given standardized self-report checklists, where both trained and naïve malingerers can successfully feign PTSD criteria.…”