Clinical neuropsychologists are increasingly being called upon to determine the presence or absence of cognitive dysfunction in the arena of brain injury litigation. Given the tremendous amount of external incentive, the possibility of malingering must be addressed. Unlike prior research which utilizes analog studies or the circular reasoning of using tests to determine malingerers, the current study examines the performance of individuals identified as malingering by external and objective means. Performance of these documented malingerers (n = 14) was compared to both a brain injury sample not in litigation (n = 15) and a brain injury sample pursing compensation related to their injury (n = 15). Demographic comparisons revealed that the malingering group is significantly older than either control group. Also, the malingering group and the group of subjects not malingering but in litigation had significantly less years of education than those subjects not pursing litigation related to their brain injury. There was no significant difference between the two control groups on any of the measures examined. In contrast, the group of documented malingerers performed more poorly than the two control groups at a p < .01 level on the F Scale of the MMPI-2; Sensory Perceptual Examination of the Halstead-Reitan Battery; Logical Memory I and II and Visual Reproduction I and II of the WMS-R; and total items recalled and total rows in correct location on the Rey 15 Item Test, and at a p < .05 level on the Speech Sounds Perception Test of the Halstead-Reitan Battery. The only variables on which the malingerers did not perform more poorly than the control groups were the FBS Scale of the MMPI-2 and the Seashore Rhythm Test. Current results are compared to prior research endeavors and commonalities and discrepancies are reviewed. Significant demographic differences between groups are discussed in relation to possible indicators of malingering and implications for future research are discussed.
Metrics
14 File views/ downloads
18 Record Views
Details
Title
MMPI-2 and neuropsychological indicators of malingering in traumatic brain injury litigants
Creators
Dana Janette Sari
Contributors
Mary Spiers (Advisor) - Drexel University, Drexel University (1970-)
Awarding Institution
Drexel University
Degree Awarded
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Publisher
Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Number of pages
x, 107 pages
Resource Type
Dissertation
Language
English
Academic Unit
College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
Other Identifier
991021889113404721
Research Home Page
Browse by research and academic units
Learn about the ETD submission process at Drexel
Learn about the Libraries’ research data management services