Detection strategies for malingering with the Miller forensic assessment of symptoms test: A confirmatory factor analysis of its underlying dimensions

Michael J. Vitacco; Rebecca L. Jackson; Richard Rogers; Craig S. Neumann; Holly A. Miller; Jason Gabel

doi:10.1177/1073191107308085

Detection strategies for malingering with the Miller forensic assessment of symptoms test: A confirmatory factor analysis of its underlying dimensions

Michael J. Vitacco, Rebecca L. Jackson, Richard Rogers, Craig S. Neumann, Holly A. Miller, Jason Gabel

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two of the most widely used measures for the assessment of malingering in forensic populations are the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST) and the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS). The underlying dimensions of the SIRS have been well established in the literature, but the structure of the M-FAST remains relatively untested. Understanding of its dimensions is critical for construct validity and guiding its proper use. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to provide evidence of a single parsimonious malingering factor to account for the covariation of the M-FAST items in a sample of 244 forensic patients. In addition, the model was cross-validated with an independent sample of 210 forensic patients. Finally, the M-FAST factor was modeled in conjunction with two factors of the SIRS. Results provide further validation of the underlying detection strategy found in the M-FAST.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	97-103
Number of pages	7
Journal	Assessment
Volume	15
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191107308085
State	Published - Mar 2008
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Detection strategies
Feigned mental disorders
M-FAST
Malingering

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Clinical Psychology
Applied Psychology

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10.1177/1073191107308085

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title = "Detection strategies for malingering with the Miller forensic assessment of symptoms test: A confirmatory factor analysis of its underlying dimensions",

abstract = "Two of the most widely used measures for the assessment of malingering in forensic populations are the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST) and the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS). The underlying dimensions of the SIRS have been well established in the literature, but the structure of the M-FAST remains relatively untested. Understanding of its dimensions is critical for construct validity and guiding its proper use. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to provide evidence of a single parsimonious malingering factor to account for the covariation of the M-FAST items in a sample of 244 forensic patients. In addition, the model was cross-validated with an independent sample of 210 forensic patients. Finally, the M-FAST factor was modeled in conjunction with two factors of the SIRS. Results provide further validation of the underlying detection strategy found in the M-FAST.",

keywords = "Detection strategies, Feigned mental disorders, M-FAST, Malingering",

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T2 - A confirmatory factor analysis of its underlying dimensions

AU - Vitacco, Michael J.

AU - Jackson, Rebecca L.

AU - Rogers, Richard

AU - Neumann, Craig S.

AU - Miller, Holly A.

AU - Gabel, Jason

PY - 2008/3

Y1 - 2008/3

N2 - Two of the most widely used measures for the assessment of malingering in forensic populations are the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST) and the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS). The underlying dimensions of the SIRS have been well established in the literature, but the structure of the M-FAST remains relatively untested. Understanding of its dimensions is critical for construct validity and guiding its proper use. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to provide evidence of a single parsimonious malingering factor to account for the covariation of the M-FAST items in a sample of 244 forensic patients. In addition, the model was cross-validated with an independent sample of 210 forensic patients. Finally, the M-FAST factor was modeled in conjunction with two factors of the SIRS. Results provide further validation of the underlying detection strategy found in the M-FAST.

AB - Two of the most widely used measures for the assessment of malingering in forensic populations are the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST) and the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS). The underlying dimensions of the SIRS have been well established in the literature, but the structure of the M-FAST remains relatively untested. Understanding of its dimensions is critical for construct validity and guiding its proper use. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to provide evidence of a single parsimonious malingering factor to account for the covariation of the M-FAST items in a sample of 244 forensic patients. In addition, the model was cross-validated with an independent sample of 210 forensic patients. Finally, the M-FAST factor was modeled in conjunction with two factors of the SIRS. Results provide further validation of the underlying detection strategy found in the M-FAST.

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Detection strategies for malingering with the Miller forensic assessment of symptoms test: A confirmatory factor analysis of its underlying dimensions

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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