title: Evaluation of the Generalizability of the Number of Abnormal Scores and the Overall Test Battery Mean as Measures of Performance Validity to a Different Test Battery.
abstract: Davis, Axelrod, McHugh, Hanks, and Millis (2013) documented that in a battery of 25 tests, producing 15, 10, and 5 abnormal scores at 1, 1.5, and 2 standard deviations below the norm-referenced mean, respectively, and an overall test battery mean (OTBM) of T ≤ 38 accurately identifies performance invalidity. However, generalizability of these findings to other samples and test batteries remains unclear. This study evaluated the use of abnormal scores and the OTBM as performance validity measures in a different sample that was administered a 25-test battery that minimally overlapped with Davis et al.'s test battery. Archival analysis of 48 examinees with mild traumatic brain injury seen for medico-legal purposes was conducted. Producing 18 or more, 7 or more, and 5 or more abnormal scores at 1, 1.5, and 2 standard deviations below the norm-referenced mean, respectively, and an OTBM of T ≤ 40 most accurately classified examinees; however, using Davis et al.'s proposed cutoffs in the current sample maintained specificity at or near acceptable levels. Due to convergence across studies, producing ≥5 abnormal scores at 2 standard deviations below the norm-referenced mean is the most appropriate cutoff for clinical implementation; however, for batteries consisting of a different quantity of tests than 25, an OTBM of T ≤ 38 is more appropriate.
authors.affiliation: a Psychology , University at Albany , Albany , New York.
authors.forename: Graham M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Silk-Eglit
authors.affiliation: b Psychiatry and Human Behavior , Alpert Medical School of Brown University , Providence , Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Andrea S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Miele
authors.affiliation: a Psychology , University at Albany , Albany , New York.
authors.forename: Jessica H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Stenclik
authors.affiliation: c Albany Neuropsychological Associates , Albany , New York.
authors.forename: Julie K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.affiliation: c Albany Neuropsychological Associates , Albany , New York.|d Department of Psychology , University at Albany, State University of New York.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McCaffrey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D066289:Data Curation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: embedded measures; mild traumatic brain injury; neuropsychology