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Detecting Malingered COVID-19 Symptoms Using the Verifiability Approach
Raffaella Maria Ribatti1,2, Tiziana Lanciano1, Antonietta Curci1
1Department of Education, Psychology, Communication Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Brain and Behavior
|February 20, 2026
Summary
The Verifiability Approach (VA) effectively distinguishes honest COVID-19 symptom reporters from malingerers. Informing participants about the VA significantly enhanced diagnostic accuracy for identifying genuine cases.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Medical Ethics
- Forensic Science
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about malingering, especially as an occupational disease.
- The Verifiability Approach (VA) is a credibility assessment tool assessing truthfulness based on detail verifiability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Verifiability Approach (VA) for distinguishing honest COVID-19 infection reporters from malingerers.
- To assess if informing participants about the VA improves its diagnostic accuracy.
Main Methods:
- 410 participants completed an online survey.
- Participants were assigned to honest or malingerer groups, with subgroups informed or not informed about the VA.
- Honest groups reported prior COVID-19 infection; malingerer groups did not.
Main Results:
- Informed honest participants provided more verifiable details than uninformed honest participants and malingerers.
- The number and ratio of verifiable details strongly correlated with honesty when participants were informed about the VA.
- Informing participants about the VA significantly enhanced diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusions:
- The Verifiability Approach (VA) is valid for distinguishing genuine from feigned health-related symptom reports.
- Limitations include the online design and lack of factual verification.
- Future research should explore VA in face-to-face settings and for symptom dissimulation.
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