Psychometric perspectives on detection of malingering of pain: use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2.
Self-report plays a primary but not exclusive role in pain assessment. As is true of all self-reported experiences, under certain circumstances, the report of chronic pain can be distorted and misrepresented. There are unique challenges associated with the detection and assessment of malingering or self-report distortion in the evaluation of chronic pain. The current paper provides a rationale for the use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) in the comprehensive assessment of chronic pain with an emphasis on the advantage the MMPI-2 provides in the detection of response bias or malingering. A critical review of available MMPI-2 validity scales is presented, and recommendations for use of these scales in the evaluation of patients with chronic pain are made.
Arbisi
Paul A
PA
Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. arbis001@umn.edu
Butcher
James N
JN
D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results