The Assessment and Detection Feigned Symptoms that may persist after a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: An Analogue Investigation

Psychologists have available to them different instruments to assess the non-credible over-reporting of symptoms that can persist after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), including symptom validity tests (SVTs) and performance validity tests (PVTs). The comparative predictive capacity of SVTs “embedded” in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) and the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) versus three “stand alone” PVTs were examined in a simulation study. Participants were administered the MMPI-2-RF, PAI and PVTs and instructed to either feign symptoms that can persist after an mTBI or “respond honestly.” Using a series of hierarchical logistic regression analyses, the performance of SVTs and PVTs to differentiate feigners from honest responders was examined. The Response Bias Scale (RBS) of the MMPI-2-RF was the best predictor relative to all other SVTs and the PVTs. Although the results need to be replicated in other experimental studies and in clinical contexts, those assessing the possible feigning of mTBI would be well served by including the MMPI-2-RF in their psychological test battery.M.A