Utility of the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory Validity-10 index to detect symptom exaggeration: An analogue simulation study

作者：Sullivan Karen A^*; Lange Rael T; Edmed Shannon L

来源：Applied Neuropsychology-Adult, 2016, 23(5): 353-362.

DOI：10.1080/23279095.2015.1079714

• Diagnostic efficiency
• Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory
• sensitivity
• specificity
• symptom exaggeration

The Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) has been recommended by the interagency Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Outcome Workgroup as an outcome measure for TBI research. A new symptom exaggeration indexthe NSI Validity-10can be calculated from its items, but its utility has not been evaluated in a malingering simulation study. Data from a prior analogue study were reanalyzed to examine the NSI Validity-10 test properties. The data were from a sample of 85 Australian undergraduate students. A battery of measures was completed under 1 of 3 experimental conditions: control (i.e., honest responding, n=24), feign postconcussional disorder (PCD; n=29), and feign posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; n=32). Participants who feigned PTSD or PCD had significantly higher scores on the NSI Validity-10 compared with controls. There were minimal differences between the 2 feigning groups. Using the combined data from the feigning groups and assuming a 35% symptom exaggeration base rate, the optimal NSI Validity-10 cutoff score was 10. This cutoff score identified probable exaggeration (sensitivity=.75, specificity=1.0, positive predictive power=1.0, negative predictive power=.88). Diagnostic efficiency statistics for 25% and 45% base rates were also generated. The cutoff score identified in this study is lower than previously reported. Its properties are promising, but its usage requires careful consideration.

• 出版日期2016