Using the yeso recognition response pattern to detect memory malingering

摘要

BackgroundDetection of feigned neurocognitive deficits is a challenge for neuropsychological assessment. We conducted two studies to examine whether memory malingering is characterized by an elevated proportion of false negatives during yeso recognition testing and whether this could be a useful measure for assessment. MethodsStudy 1 examined 51 participants claiming compensation due to mental disorders, 51 patients with affective disorders not claiming compensation and 13 patients with established dementia. Claimants were sub-divided into suspected malingerers (n?=?11) and non-malingerers (n?=?40) according to the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM). In study 2, non-clinical participants were instructed to either malinger memory deficits due to depression (n?=?20), or to perform normally (n?=?20). ResultsIn study 1, suspected malingerers had more false negative responses on the recognition test than all other groups and false negative responding was correlated with Minnesota-Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) measures of deception.In study 2, using a cut-off score derived from the clinical study, the number of false negative responses on the yeso recognition test predicted group membership with comparable accuracy as the TOMM, combining both measures yielded the best classification. Upon interview, participants suspected the TOMM more often as a malingering test than the yeso recognition test. ConclusionResults indicate that many malingers adopt a strategy of exaggerated false negative responding on a yeso recognition memory test. This differentiates them from both dementia and affective disorder, recommending false negative responses as an efficient and inconspicuous screening measure of memory malingering.