Detecting Feigned Depression and Schizophrenia on the MMPI-2

Authors:
  • RRRichard Rogers
    Richard Rogers
  • TBTom Buis
    Tom Buis
  • RNRobert A. Nicholson
    Robert A. Nicholson
  • SCSusan L. Cameron
    Susan L. Cameron
  • NRNeil A. Rector
    Neil A. Rector
  • DSDeborah R. Schuller
    Deborah R. Schuller
  • MSMary V. Seeman
    Mary V. Seeman
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Increasingly, investigations evaluating the effectiveness of the MMPI-2 in the assessment of malingering employ methodologies whereby research participants are asked to feigned specific disorders rather than just to fake bad. Yet there is little research addressing the issue of whether different validity scales and indicators work differently in the detection of different feigned disorders. In this study the comparative effectiveness of a number of validity scales and indicators on the MMPI-2 to assess feigned depression and feigned schizophrenia were evaluated. Overall, the validity scales and indicators were better at detecting feigned schizophrenia than they were in detecting feigned depression, attributable, most likely, to closer familiarity with (p) best distinguish patients depressive experiences. The validity scales F, Fb and F with schizophrenia from participants feigning schizophrenia, and F and Fb best distinguish patients with depression from participants feigning depression.