Detecting Malingering on the MMPI-2: An Examination of the Utility of Combining the Validity Scales in a Non-Compensatory Model

• Main Author: Burke, Thomas James
• Format: Others
• Published: TopSCHOLAR® 2007
• Subjects: psychopathology disability assessments; psychiatric disability assessments; validity scales; Industrial and Organizational Psychology; Psychology
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/27; http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=theses

The MMPI-2 is the most commonly used self-report measure for the assessment of psychopathology in forensic and psychiatric disability assessments (Bacchiochi & Bagby, 2006; Bagby, Marshall, & Bacchiochi, 2005). The MMPI-2 includes a variety of validity scales designed to detect content responsive faking (e.g., faking good or faking bad) as well as content nonresponsivity (randomly responding). The present study was conducted to determine whether a combination of validity scales to detect malingering of a psychotic disorder in a non-compensatory model would be more or less effective than using only a select few of the validity scales in a compensatory model. The results supported the use of the specified validity scales (F, Fb, Fp, F – K, and FBS) in a non-compensatory model to identify correctly whether test takers faked their profiles. The results also supported the use of a smaller subset of the validity scales (Fp, F – K, and FBS) in a non-compensatory model to identify correctly whether test takers faked their profiles. The results, limitations of the current study, and future research considerations are then discussed.