Detection of overreporting of psychopathology on the Personality Assessment Inventory: a meta-analytic review

Psychol Assess. 2009 Mar;21(1):112-24. doi: 10.1037/a0015036.

Abstract

The Personality Assessment Inventory (L. C. Morey, 1991) includes 3 measures for identifying overreporting of psychopathology: the Negative Impression scale (NIM), Malingering Index (MAL), and Rogers Discriminant Function (RDF). Meta-analysis revealed that each measure was a strong predictor of uncoached (NIM, d = 1.48, k = 23; MAL, d = 1.15, k = 19; RDF, d = 1.13, k = 15) and coached malingering (NIM, d = 1.59, k = 8; MAL, d = 1.00, k = 6; RDF, d = 1.65, k = 3). For uncoached malingering, effects were larger in simulation than criterion groups studies, for identifying feigning of severe mental disorders than mood/anxiety disorders, and when feigners were compared to unimpaired honest respondents as opposed to patients. Cut scores of NIM > or = 81 and MAL > or = 3 resulted in the highest overall classification rates for identifying feigning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved).

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Deception
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malingering / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Personality Assessment / standards
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data*
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity