title: Diagnostic accuracy of the MMPI-2 Malingering Discriminant Function Index in the detection of malingering among inmates.
abstract: The MMPI-2 Malingering Discriminant Function Index (M-DFI) was designed to detect malingerers educated about MMPI-2 validity indicators. However, given current attorney practices, the clinical utility of the M-DFI lies in its ability to detect examinees who are cautioned about the indicators. In this study, we compared 45 inmate simulators cautioned to avoid detection on the MMPI-2 with 46 psychiatric inmates who completed the MMPI-2 under standard instructions. Logistic regression analyses indicated that although the M-DFI performed better than several individual indicators, results were mixed for combinations of indicators, and the M-DFI did not outperform different sets of existing indicators. These findings support existing strategies to detect malingering on the MMPI-2. We discuss considerations concerning the clinical applicability of M-DFI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, USA. jarrod.steffan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jarrod S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Steffan
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015206:Southwestern United States