Validity of the M Test: simulation-design and natural-group approaches.
The utility of the M Test (Beaber, Marston, Michelli, & Mills, (1985) as a screening measure for malingering was assessed using simulation-design (subjects asked to fake mental illness) and natural-group (forensic assessment cases suspected of malingering) approaches. A total of 318 subjects from community, clinical, and correctional settings completed the M Test under instructions to respond honestly or to simulate a major mental disorder. A factor analysis of the M Test items supported the original rationally based scale assignment, and the scales were found to have adequate internal reliability. To examine the predictive validity of the M Test, results revealed that sensitivity using the cutting scores suggested by Beaber et al. (1985) was much higher for simulating subjects (79.8%) than for the suspected malingerers (40.0%). The findings emphasize the danger of exclusive reliance on simulation studies for validating measures of malingering. It was concluded that, in its present form, the M Test does not constitute a good screening measure for assessing malingering.
Gillis
J R
JR
University of Toronto.
Rogers
R
R
Bagby
R M
RM
D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008192:Deception; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons; D011594:Psychometrics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology