Malingering in toxic exposure: classification accuracy of reliable digit span and WAIS-III Digit Span scaled scores.

Full Abstract

This study examined the sensitivity and false-positive error rate of reliable digit span (RDS) and the WAIS-III Digit Span (DS) scaled score in persons alleging toxic exposure and determined whether error rates differed from published rates in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chronic pain (CP). Data were obtained from the files of 123 persons referred for neuropsychological evaluation related to alleged exposure to environmental and industrial substances. Malingering status was determined using the criteria of Slick, Sherman, and Iverson (1999). The sensitivity and specificity of RDS and DS in toxic exposure are consistent with those observed in TBI and CP. These findings support the use of these malingering indicators in cases of alleged toxic exposure and suggest that the classification accuracy data of indicators derived from studies of TBI patients may also be validly applied to cases of alleged toxic exposure.

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Author information

Author/s: Greve, Kevin W (KW); Springer, Steven (S); Bianchini, Kevin J (KJ); Black, F William (FW); Heinly, Matthew T (MT); Love, Jeffrey M (JM); Swift, Douglas A (DA); Ciota, Megan A (MA);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans, Jefferson Neurobehavioral Group, LA 70148, USA. kgreve(-atsign-)uno.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Assessment (Assessment), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Mar; vol 14 (issue 1) : pp 12-21

Dates: Created 2007/02/22; Completed 2007/05/02;

PMID: 17314176, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Aged
Expert Testimony
Female
Humans
Insurance, Disability
Male
Malingering - classification; diagnosis; psychology
Mental Recall

Mental Recall
Middle Aged
Neurotoxicity Syndromes - diagnosis; psychology
Occupational Diseases - chemically induced; diagnosis
Problem Solving
Reversal Learning
Serial Learning
Wechsler Scales - statistics & numerical data
Workers' Compensation

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