MMPI-2 VALIDITY SCALES VERSUS DOMAIN-SPECIFIC MEASURES IN DETECTION OF FACTITIOUS TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

A known group methodology was used to compare the predictive accuracies of MMPI-2 validity scales and malingered amnesia measures in the detection of real versus feigned traumatic brain-injury. The domain specific compliance measures were consistently more accurate in the separation of factitious brain-injury patients (n = 68) from severe brain-injury patients (N = 56). Among MMPI-2 measures, only scale Sc improved on base-rate predictions of probable malingering. Anti-social traits, as measured by Pd, had no relationship to malingered amnesia. Factor analysis suggested independent psychiatric and neurological malingering factors. The implications for DSM-IV malingering criteria and models of feigned illness are discussed.