title: Cross validation of the b Test in a large known groups sample.
abstract: The b Test (Boone, Lu, & Herzberg, 2002a) is a measure of cognitive performance validity originally validated on 91 non-credible participants and 7 credible clinical comparison groups (total n = 161). The purpose of the current study was to provide cross-validation data for the b Test on a known groups sample of non-credible participants (n = 212) and credible heterogeneous neuropsychological clinic patients (n = 103). The new data showed that while the original E-score cut-off of ≥ 155 achieved excellent specificity (99%), it was associated with relatively poor sensitivity (41%). However, the cut-off could be substantially lowered to ≥82, while still maintaining adequate specificity (≥90%) and raising sensitivity to 68%. Examination of non-credible subgroups revealed that b Test sensitivity in feigned mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) was 58%, whereas in non-credible patients claiming depression and psychosis, cut-off sensitivity was 76% and 67%, respectively. These data suggest that the b Test may have a particular role in detection of non-credible cognitive symptoms associated with feigned psychiatric symptoms, and that fabricated deficits in processing speed and vigilance/visual scanning, detected by the b Test, are more prominent in feigned psychiatric presentations than in feigned mTBI. Further, b Test failures in patients with somatoform disorders were common, indicating that the b Test may have a specific use in detection of non-consciously created cognitive dysfunction associated with somatoform conditions.
authors.affiliation: California School of Forensic Studies, Alliant International University, Torrance, CA, USA. croberson@alliant.edu
authors.forename: Cedria J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Roberson
authors.forename: Kyle Brauer
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.forename: Hope
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miora
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cottingham
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Victor
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zeller
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult