The Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire: Operating characteristics in non-pain forensic samples.

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Assessing cognitive performance validity is crucial in forensic evaluations.
• The Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ) is a self-report measure.
• Distinguishing genuine neurocognitive dysfunction from noncredible performance is a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire's (MSPQ) ability to differentiate noncredible from credible neurocognitive dysfunction.
• To examine the MSPQ's utility in a mixed non-pain forensic sample.
• To investigate the influence of somatization on MSPQ scores.

Main Methods:

• Archival study of 149 adults undergoing neuropsychological examination.
• Formation of credible (CG) and noncredible (NCG) groups based on performance validity tests (PVTs).
• Analysis of MSPQ scores in relation to group status and somatization.

Main Results:

• Participants in the Noncredible Group (NCG) scored significantly higher on the MSPQ than the Credible Group (CG).
• MSPQ scores were related to cognitive performance validity and amplified by co-existing somatization.
• Gender, age, and race did not significantly affect MSPQ scores.

Conclusions:

• The MSPQ demonstrates external validity as a self-report measure of symptom validity in non-pain forensic samples.
• The MSPQ is sensitive to somatic and autonomic complaints.
• Further research is needed to establish MSPQ cut-scores for diverse non-pain populations.