Another Perspective of the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test – Part II: A Quantitative Review

Reference [1] presented pooled data for the specificity of the M-FAST cut-off, but ignored or excluded data based on poor justifications and used questionable analytic methods. The analyses here corrected the problems associated with [1]. No moderator substantively influenced sensitivity values. Therefore, sensitivity values were pooled across all studies (k = 25) to provide an overall estimate. Overall, the average sensitivity of the M-FAST cut-off was estimated to be 0.87, 95% CI [0.80, 0.91], and 80% of true sensitivity values were estimated to range from 0.63 to 0.96. Thus, there could be methodological scenarios when the M-FAST cut-off may not operate efficiently. Average specificity values for the M-FAST cut-off were moderated by one variable: the comparison group. On average, specificity values for clinical comparison (k = 15) groups (i.e., 0.80, 95% CI [0.73, 0.85]) were lower than specificity values for non-clinical comparison (k = 11) groups (i.e., 0.96, 95% CI [0.89, 0.99]). Unlike the CIs, the estimated distributions of true specificity values for the two subgroups overlapped, which suggests there could be scenarios when these subgroups share the same true specificity value. The M-FAST was designed to be a screener to detect potential feigning of psychiatric symptoms. An examinee is never to be designating as feigning or malingering psychiatric symptoms based on only a positive M-FAST result. As a screening instrument, the results here show that the M-FAST cut-off is operating adequately overall and negate the conclusions of [1].

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Another Perspective of the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test – Part I: A Narrative Review

European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences ◽

10.24018/ejmed.2021.3.6.1142 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (6) ◽

pp. 30-40

Author(s):

D. Detullio

Keyword(s):

Additional Data ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Forensic Assessment ◽

Research Literature ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Screening Measure ◽

Test Part ◽

Research Findings ◽

Literature Base ◽

The Many

Reference [1] presented a skewed perspective of the M-FAST literature base and provided the flawed conclusion that the M-FAST should no longer be used in practice. In an attempt to correct the many issues with [1], this article provides a narrative review of the strengths and weaknesses of research findings for the M-FAST interpretation as well as reviews methodological concepts underlying feigning research. The M-FAST was designed to screen for potential feigning of psychiatric symptoms. It was not designed to conclude that an examinee is feigning or malingering psychiatric symptoms. A positive result on the M-FAST only indicates that additional data needs to be collected to make the aforementioned conclusions. Applying the M-FAST in any other way is a serious error on the part of the user. The research literature thus far generally supports the use of the M-FAST cut-off as a screening measure for possible feigning of psychiatric symptoms. However, there are scenarios when the M-FAST may not operate as efficiently, and these scenarios are discussed. Reference [1] misrepresented the purpose of the M-FAST as well as research findings on the M-FAST. Therefore, [1] should be read with great caution.

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Complementary Meta-Analytic Methods for the Quantitative Review of Research: 2. An Extended Illustration

Journal of Methods and Measurement in the Social Sciences ◽

10.2458/v4i2.17936 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 46 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aurelio José Figueredo ◽

Candace Jasmine Black ◽

Anne Grete Scott

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Analytic Method ◽

Quantitative Review ◽

Analytic Methods ◽

Retention In Higher Education

In Figueredo, Black, and Scott (this issue), we presented the rationale for a complementary meta-analytic method to accompany traditional effects meta-analytic procedures. Here, we provide an example using Contents Meta-Analysis so that readers can become familiar with the application of the method and the implications of its use. This illustration will be presented in two major sections. First, we will describe an empirical example of a meta-analysis on retention in higher education where a Contents Meta-Analysis was conducted. Then we will show how the information gained in the Contents Meta-Analysis may be applied to address issues of generalizability. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v4i2_figueredo

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The Role of Self- and Informant-Reports on Symptoms and Impairments in the Clinical Evaluation of Adult ADHD

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13084564 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 4564

Author(s):

Nana Guo ◽

Anselm B. M. Fuermaier ◽

Janneke Koerts ◽

Bernhard W. Mueller ◽

Christian Mette ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Evaluation ◽

Test Performance ◽

Adult Adhd ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Neuropsychological Test ◽

Neuropsychological Testing ◽

Adhd Group ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Clinical Comparison

Little is known about which clinical features may aid the differentiation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other clinical conditions. This study seeks to determine the role of self- and informant reports on symptoms and impairments in the clinical evaluation of adult ADHD and explore their association with objective neuropsychological test performance by examining data of 169 outpatients referred for a diagnostic evaluation of adult ADHD. Participants were assigned either to an ADHD group (ADHD, n = 73) or one of two clinical comparison groups, depending on whether they show indications (Clinical Comparison Group, CCG, n = 53) or no indications (Clinical Comparison Group—Not Diagnosed, CCG-ND, n = 43) of psychiatric disorders other than ADHD. All participants and their informants completed a set of questionnaires. Compared to the CCG-ND, the ADHD group obtained significantly higher scores on ADHD symptoms, impulsivity, cognitive deficits, and anxiety. Compared to the CCG, the ADHD group scored significantly higher on ADHD symptoms but lower on depression. Further regression analyses revealed that self- and informant reports failed to predict neuropsychological test performance. Self- and informant reported information may be distinct features and do not correspond to results of objective neuropsychological testing.

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Children who Poison Themselves I. A Clinical Comparison with Psychiatric Controls

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.145.2.127 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 145 (2) ◽

pp. 127-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

E. A. Taylor ◽

S. A. Stansfeld

Keyword(s):

Depressive Disorder ◽

Family Relationships ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Clinical Information ◽

The Self ◽

Self Injury ◽

Clinical Comparison ◽

Medical Emergencies ◽

Psychiatric Intervention ◽

To Come

SummaryFifty schoolchildren, admitted as medical emergencies after poisoning themselves, were compared with 50 matched controls, resident in the same area of London, referred for psychiatric help for other reasons. The dependent measures were based upon systematically recorded clinical information in both groups. The self-poisoners showed more psychiatric symptoms and more disturbed family relationships than did the psychiatric group; they were more likely to meet criteria for depressive disorder and to come from families showing little warmth. This form of self-injury is not trivial or wholly culturally determined, and it warrants psychiatric intervention.

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Depression in Hospital and in General Practice: A Direct Clinical Comparison

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.124.3.240 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 124 (580) ◽

pp. 240-242 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

T. J. Fahy

Keyword(s):

General Practice ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Qualitative Difference ◽

Physical Stress ◽

Family Doctors ◽

Depressed Patients ◽

Direct Bearing ◽

Clinical Comparison ◽

A Prospective Study

A prospective study (Fahy, 1974) found that depressed patients referred to psychiatrists by family doctors differed from depressives not so referred in being more often difficult to reassure, diffusely anxious and subjectively retarded. Single men were selectively referred. Absence of hypochondriacal features characterized prompt referrals only. Generally, psychiatric referrals were obviously depressed in mood and showed a wealth of psychiatric symptoms, predominantly of ‘endogenous' type and not associated with overt physical stress-at-onset. For lack of data with a direct bearing on reliability, the repeatability of this study was uncertain and the question of a possible qualitative difference between depression in hospital and in general practice was left unanswered.

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The Intellectual Achievement of Only Children

Journal of Biosocial Science ◽

10.1017/s0021932000006611 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 275-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Denise F. Polit ◽

Toni Falbo

Keyword(s):

Family Size ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Verbal Ability ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Quantitative Review ◽

Only Children ◽

Parent Child Interactions ◽

The Family ◽

Intellectual Achievement ◽

Large Families

SummaryA quantitative review of the literature on the intellectual achievement of only children indicated that only children were never at a disadvantage in relation to any comparison group; nor were they significantly different from first-born children or children from two-child families. Moreover, only children were at a significant advantage in comparison with later-born children and those from large families. The consistency of these findings across subgroups suggests that interpersonal mechanisms are largely responsible. The strong only-child advantage on tests of verbal ability, together with the overall pattern of findings, implicates parent–child interactions as responsible for the family size and birth order variations in intellectual achievement.

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