Return to search

Construct Validity of the I-SIP and Its Clinical Utility in Differentiating between Factitious Psychological Presentations (FPPs) and Malingering

Forensic researchers and practitioners continue to face challenges when attempting to differentiate deceptive response styles, notably when comparing malingering and factitious disorder. However, due to the great disparities in research available, forensic examiners may not be adequately informed for considering factitious presentations as a competing hypothesis to malingering. De-emphasis of factitious disorders may also be attributed to the lack of empirical research and poor conceptual understanding of the disorder. Velsor and Rogers conducted a thorough review of various factitious motivations, drawing a parallel to Rogers' explanatory models of malingering. Due to the need for a systematic measure of FPPs, the Inventory of Self and Interpersonal Problems (I-SIP) was developed, largely based on the explanatory models of FPP. The current study employed a construct validity approach to the I-SIP to examine its convergent and discriminant validity in a sample of 80 inpatients from a private psychiatric hospital. Providing strong evidence of construct validity of the I-SIP, dramatic differences emerged between malingered and factitious presentations with extremely large effect sizes (ds = 1.09 – 3.62). In particular, results indicated strong support for the nurturance explanatory model of FPPs, as over-investment in treatment providers was an especially strong discriminator (d = 3.62). Moreover, results highlighted the potential problem of misclassification of response styles, as the SIMS did not effectively distinguish between simulation groups. To avoid diagnostic issues, arguments are presented for the consideration of FPPs as a dimensional construct that vary over time and circumstances. Professional implications are discussed, including practical guidelines for evaluating FPPs in clinical and forensic contexts.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc1833422
Date08 1900
CreatorsVelsor, Sarah Frances
ContributorsRogers, Richard, Cox, Randall J, Boals, Adriel
PublisherUniversity of North Texas
Source SetsUniversity of North Texas
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or Dissertation
Formatvi, 126 pages, Text
RightsPublic, Velsor, Sarah Frances, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights Reserved.

Page generated in 0.0022 seconds