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[The Influence of a Statement of Truth on the Authenticity of Complaints]
Axel Kobelt-Pönicke1,2, Franziska Walter3, Naina Lid3
1Deutsche Rentenversicherung Braunschweig-Hannover, Laatzen.
Background:
Implicit motives have a moderating effect on dishonest answering behaviour during the testing of applicants for disability pensions. Persons would rather act dishonest if they do not have do keep up their positive self-image therefore.
Objective:
Does a statement of truth at the beginning of a functional capacity evaluation lead to lower dishonest answering behaviour?
Methods:
248 applicants for a disability pension were randomly allocated to giving such a statement either before or after symptom validity tests (SIMS, BEVA).
Results:
The statement of truth affected the SIMS but not the BEVA. The effect depended on the education level.
Conclusion:
Moral and social motives have to be taken into account when assessing malingering during a functional capacity evaluation. Higher educated persons refer to other moral standards or take a more individual and case-by-case approach to morally challenging situations.
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