title: [How can Instructions and Motivation for a Pension Influence the Response in Questionnaires?].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study investigates whether the motivation for obtaining a pension together with written instructions change the response bias in symptom scales as well as symptom validity test.
  
  
  METHODS
  80 warned and 91 unwarned claimants for disability pension due to a mental illness were recruited. Participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire (with statements to measure motivation), the module A of the HEALTH-49 as well as the SIMS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ANOVAs (analysis of variance) showed that warned claimants had significantly higher scores in total assets in symptom scales of the HEALTH-49 as well as the SIMS compared to the unwarned claimants. Warned persons showed higher odds for an invalid value in the SIMS. A regression analysis revealed that the item "retirement means for me a chance to be healthy" can predict the criterion total score of the SIMS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Warnings may produce negative response bias in symptom scales. Patients made negative response bias when they hope to recover through their pension.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Klinische Psychologie und Rehabilitation, Universität Bremen.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.affiliation: Deutsche Rentenversicherung Braunschweig-Hannover.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Geissler
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Klinische Psychologie und Rehabilitation, Universität Bremen.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petermann
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Klinische Psychologie und Rehabilitation, Universität Bremen.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kobelt
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods; D004608:Eligibility Determination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010415:Pensions; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000523:psychology*