Association Between the MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) and Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction Among Non-Head Injury Disability Claimants

Abstract

The current study examined the over-reporting Validity Scales of the MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008/2011) in relation to the Slick, Sherman, and Iverson (1999) criteria for the diagnosis of Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction in a sample of 916 consecutive non-head injury disability claimants. The classification of Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction was based on scores from several cognitive symptom validity tests and response bias indicators built into traditional neuropsychological tests. Higher scores on MMPI-2-RF Validity Scales, particularly the Response Bias Scale (Gervais, Ben-Porath, Wygant, & Green, 2007), were associated with probable and definite Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction. The MMPI-2-RF's Validity Scales classification accuracy of Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction improved when multiple scales were interpreted. Additionally, higher scores on MMPI-2-RF substantive scales measuring distress, internalizing dysfunction, thought dysfunction, and social avoidance were associated with probable and definite Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction. Implications for clinical practice and future directions are noted.

Psychological Characteristics of Individuals Who Put Forth Inadequate Cognitive Effort in a Secondary Gain Context

“…Nonsignificant trends were also observed for Fs and F-r. Finally, Tarescavage, Wygant, Gervais, and Ben-Porath (2013) found that higher scores on MMPI-2-RF overreporting scales, namely F-r and RBS, were associated with probable and definite Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction (MND; Slick, Sherman, & Iverson, 1999) in a large sample of nonhead injury disability claimants.…”

“…On balance, the MMPI-2-RF literature supports the association between symptom overreporting and PVT failure. As noted above, however, only three studies to date have investigated the full range of MMPI-2-RF validity and substantive scales in relation to PVT performance (Gervais et al, 2011;Jones et al, 2012;Tarescavage et al, 2013), with only two of these studies exclusively examining individuals with external incentive (Gervais et al, 2011;Tarescavage et al, 2013). Importantly, the chief concern of these studies was investigating how self-report inventories can be used to enhance detection of inadequate effort.…”

Associations Between Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2‐Restructured Form (MMPI‐2‐RF) Scores, Workers' Compensation Status, and Spine Surgery Outcome

“…Further, WC patients may have financial incentives to remain disabled, and MMPI-2-RF research indicates that such financial incentives can be associated with over-reporting of emotional distress (cf. Gervais, Wygant, Sellbom, & Ben-Porath, 2011;Jones & Ingram, 2011;Schroeder et al, 2012;Tarescavage, Wygant, Gervais, & Ben-Porath, 2013;Wygant et al, 2011).…”

Framing the Results: Assessment of Response Bias Through Select Self-Report Measures in Psychological Injury Evaluations

“…Due to the heterogeneous symptoms often presented during these evaluations, it is important to capture elements of feigning across all areas of functioning. The MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF have been more thoroughly examined in relation to the criteria for MND and MPRD (Bianchini et al, 2008;Greve et al, 2006;Schroeder et al, 2012;Tarescavage et al, 2013;Wygant et al, 2011). In comparison, the PAI has much fewer studies examining the relation between its validity indicators with cognitive PVTs, MND, and MPRD.…”