Effects of Distraction on Performance Validity: A Pilot Study with Veterans

Abstract Objective The purpose of this experimental pilot study was to evaluate whether distraction can affect results of performance validity testing. Method Thirty-three veterans who have served in the US military since 09/11/2001 (Mage = 38.60, SD = 10.85 years) completed the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), Trail Making Test, and Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT). Subjects were randomly assigned to complete the MSVT in one of three experimental conditions: standard administration, while performing serial 2 s (Cognitive Distraction), and while submerging a hand in ice water (Physical Distraction). Results All participants included in primary analyses passed the TOMM (n = 30). Physical distraction did not affect performance on the MSVT. Cognitive distraction negatively affected MSVT performance. Conclusions Cognitive distraction can substantially affect MSVT performance in a subgroup of individuals. Physical distraction did not significantly affect MSVT performance.

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B-67 The Effect of Bilingualism on Executive Functioning Performance in Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors and Healthy Adults

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acz034.150 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 1015-1015

Author(s):

R Cervantes ◽

W Lopez Hernandez ◽

J Knight ◽

P Litvin ◽

A Bueno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Executive Function ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Performance Validity ◽

Post Injury ◽

Validity Testing ◽

Trail Making ◽

Performance Validity Testing ◽

Main Effects ◽

Better Than

Abstract Objective Traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors often exhibit problems with executive function (EF). Language use can also impact EF test performances. We examined the effects of TBI and bilingualism/monolingualism on several EF tests. Method The sample (N = 94) consisted of 37 healthy controls (19 bilingual; 18 monolingual), 30 acute TBI participants (10 bilingual; 20 monolingual), and 27 chronic TBI participants (16 bilingual; 11 monolingual). Acute TBI participants were tested 6 months post-injury and chronic TBI participants were tested 12 months or more post-injury. Stroop Color-Word (SCW), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Letter Fluency (DKEFS-LF), Trail Making Test part B (TMT-B) and a EF global composite (EF-GC) were used to assess EF. All participants passed performance validity testing. 3X2 ANOVAs were conducted to determine the effect of TBI and bilingualism/monolingualism on EF performances. Results Main effects were found between groups (control and TBI groups) on SCW, p = .046, ηp² = .07, TMT-B, p = .042, ηp² = .07, and EF-GC, p = .005, ηp² = .13; the 6-month TBI group performed worse than controls on TMT-B and EF-GC. Main effects were found for bilingualism/ monolingualism on SCW, p = .012, ηp² = .07, and TMT-B, p = .034, ηp² = .05; monolingual participants performed better than bilingual participants. No significant interactions between TBI and language were found. Conclusion The TBI group underperformed on SCW, TMT-B, and EF-GC compared to controls; relative to monolinguals, bilinguals underperformed on the SCW and TMT-B only. In conclusion, our findings seem to suggest that monolinguals have better cognitive flexibility compared to bilinguals that result in better EF performances.

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The Impact of Self-Efficacy and Health Locus of Control on Performance Validity Testing

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acaa027 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (7) ◽

pp. 1162-1167

Author(s):

Patrick Armistead-Jehle ◽

Sara M Lippa ◽

Chad E Grills

Keyword(s):

Locus Of Control ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Health Locus Of Control ◽

Symptom Validity ◽

Performance Validity ◽

Validity Testing ◽

Validity Test ◽

Medical Symptom ◽

Symptom Validity Test ◽

Performance Validity Testing

Abstract Objective Recent research has examined potential influences to performance validity testing beyond intentional feigning. The current study sought to examine the hypothesized relationships of two psychological constructs (self-efficacy and health locus of control) with performance validity testing (PVT). Method Retrospective review of 158 mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) cases referred to an Army outpatient clinic for neuropsychological evaluation. The mTBI cases were classified according to passing or failing the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT) or Non-Verbal Medical Symptom Validity Test (NV-MSVT). Group comparisons were performed utilizing one-way ANOVA to evaluate the differences between the PVT-Pass and PVT-Fail groups on self-efficacy (MMPI-2-RF Inefficacy scale) and locus of control (Multi-Dimensional Health Locus of Control). Results There was no relationship between self-efficacy or health locus of control and passing/failing PVTs. Conclusions Further research is warranted to explore potential influences on PVT performance, which we conceptualize as analogous to experimental nuisance variables that may be amenable to intervention.

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