title: Adherence to Validity Testing Recommendations in Neuropsychological Assessment: A Survey of INS and NAN Members.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) has published recommendations for best validity testing practices, as has the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychologists (AACN) in their review of critical issues in the field. However, surveys show not all neuropsychologists follow these recommendations consistently. Examiner characteristics (e.g., training history) and current practice characteristics (e.g., type of practice setting) may affect systematic adherence to these recommendations. Further, previous surveys focused on distinct countries or continents rather than an international sample. This study sought to provide better understanding of examiner factors that contribute to recommendation adherence and identify opportunities for improving validity testing training and practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 654 NAN and International Neuropsychological Society (INS) neuropsychologists responded to online survey questions about their demographic, training, and practice characteristics, as well as validity testing practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings indicate that neuropsychologists from other countries generally adhere to NAN and AACN recommendations as closely as United States neuropsychologists. Across all neuropsychologists, those who work with pediatric and geriatric populations do not follow recommendations as consistently as those who work with adults, despite research supporting that recommendations should be followed with all patients. Neuropsychologists who have been practicing longer were also less likely to adhere to recommendations, suggesting that continuing education would be beneficial even for more experienced neuropsychologists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results highlight the need for continued training on the importance of validity testing practices across different countries and all assessment settings, and identify groups of neuropsychologists to whom training could be targeted to maximize effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Rayna B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Hirst
authors.affiliation: Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Cecilia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Teague
authors.affiliation: Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Alexis S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.affiliation: Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gretler
authors.affiliation: Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Quittner
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000592:standards; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D014943:Global Health; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009484:Neuropsychology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Assessment; Forensic neuropsychology; Malingering/symptom validity testing; Professional issues