Validation of PCL-5 symptom validity indices in a Cross-Cultural Forensic Sample

Three symptom validity indices have recently been developed for the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). To date, these validity indices have been examined in North American research and clinical samples, generally with promising results. The current study aimed to cross-validate the symptom validity indices in a cross-cultural forensic sample.

Examinees (N = 79) were Balkan (Macedonian, Kosovar, and Serbian) contractors previously employed at United States military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq. Examinees claimed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) secondary to alleged adverse experiences, and they were pursuing Federal Workers' Compensation claims for PTSD under the auspices of the Defense Base Act. In this study, validity status was determined via outcome on the Inventory of Problems-29.

There were no significant differences between most demographic and background variables when groups were divided by validity status. Conversely, scores on all validity tests were significantly different between the group of examinees who were likely credibly presenting and the group that was likely noncredibly responding; medium to large effect sizes were observed. Area under the curve statistics ranged from .73 to .77. Sensitivity rates ranged from .33 to .47 when specificity was held at .90 or higher.

The findings converge well with prior research results, extending the use of PCL-5 symptom validity indices to a cross-cultural forensic sample.