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The incremental validity and clinical utility of the MMPI-2 infrequency posttraumatic stress disorder scale

Margarita B Marshall1, R Michael Bagby

  • 1McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Assessment
|October 20, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The new Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) Infrequency Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale (Fptsd) did not improve detection of feigned post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Existing MMPI-2 F scales are sufficient for identifying malingering.

Area of Science:

  • Psychological assessment
  • Clinical psychology
  • Forensic psychology

Background:

  • The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is a widely used tool for psychological assessment.
  • Distinguishing genuine post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from malingered PTSD is crucial in disability claims.
  • The MMPI-2 Infrequency Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale (Fptsd) was developed to aid in detecting feigned PTSD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the incremental validity and clinical utility of the MMPI-2 Fptsd scale.
  • To compare the Fptsd scale's effectiveness against the existing MMPI-2 F scales in identifying feigned PTSD.
  • To determine if the Fptsd scale offers additional predictive value beyond established measures.

Main Methods:

  • Participants completed the MMPI-2 under both standard and feigned PTSD instructions.
  • A sample of disability claimants with diagnosed PTSD also completed the MMPI-2.
  • Statistical analyses, including hierarchical logistic regressions, were used to compare scale performance.

Main Results:

  • Participants instructed to feign PTSD scored significantly higher on the Fptsd scale and other MMPI-2 F scales compared to standard administration and the PTSD claimant group.
  • Effect sizes for the Fptsd scale were comparable to those of existing F scales (e.g., F(B), F(P)).
  • The Fptsd scale did not provide incremental predictive utility over the combined existing MMPI-2 F scales for detecting feigned PTSD.

Conclusions:

  • The MMPI-2 Fptsd scale does not offer significant added benefit in detecting feigned PTSD when existing MMPI-2 F scales are utilized.
  • The established MMPI-2 F scales appear sufficient for identifying malingered PTSD in disability evaluations.
  • Further research may be needed to explore alternative or complementary methods for detecting feigned PTSD.

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