Cross-validation of the MMPI-2 in detecting malingered posttraumatic stress disorder

J Pers Assess. 2000 Dec;75(3):449-63. doi: 10.1207/S15327752JPA7503_06.

Abstract

We attempted to cross-validate findings from a previous study (Elhai, Gold, Sellers, & Dorfman, in press) using a clinical sample of combat-related war veterans to distinguish genuine from malingered posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the MMPI-2 (Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989). The MMPI-2 scores of 124 male combat war veterans at the PTSD outpatient treatment program of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center were compared with those of 84 adult college students instructed and trained to malinger PTSD. MMPI-2 overreporting variables examined were F, F-Fb, F-K, F(p), Ds2, O-S, OT, and FBS. A stepwise discriminant analysis identified F. F-Fb, F-K, Ds2, O-S, and OT as the best malingering predictors. A predictive discriminant analysis yielded good hit rates for the model with impressive cross-validation results. We assessed cutting scores for the predictors of the model. We discuss clinical implications for using the MMPI-2 to distinguish malingered PTSD from combat-related PTSD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Combat Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Combat Disorders / psychology*
  • Discriminant Analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MMPI / standards*
  • Male
  • Malingering / diagnosis*
  • Malingering / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Southeastern United States
  • Students / psychology
  • Universities
  • Veterans / psychology*