Detecting feigned ADHD in college students using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form...

Area of Science:

• Psychological assessment
• Clinical psychology
• Neurodevelopmental disorders

Background:

• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis requires careful assessment to differentiate genuine symptoms from malingering.
• The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is a widely used psychometric tool, but its utility in detecting feigned ADHD requires specific investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the MMPI-2-RF validity scales in identifying individuals feigning ADHD.
• To determine which specific MMPI-2-RF scales and cutoffs are most sensitive to simulated ADHD presentations.

Main Methods:

• A simulation design was employed, comparing scores on MMPI-2-RF Restructured Clinical (RC) and validity scales between groups instructed to feign ADHD and a control group.
• Statistical analyses examined group differences and the classification accuracy of validity scales at various cutoff scores across five feigning groups (N=177) and one standard instruction group (N=32).

Main Results:

• Individuals feigning ADHD generally scored higher on most RC and validity scales compared to the standard instruction group.
• No significant differences were found between the different feigning groups, suggesting a generalized response bias rather than distinct symptom simulation.
• The F-r, Fp-r, and Fs scales demonstrated the most promise for detecting feigned ADHD, particularly at T-score ranges of 70-80.

Conclusions:

• The MMPI-2-RF, specifically the F-r, Fs, and Fp-r scales, can be a valuable tool in ADHD evaluations for detecting feigned symptoms in college students.
• The study did not find evidence supporting the simulation of distinct ADHD symptom presentations; rather, a general tendency to exaggerate was observed.