Investigating the M-FAST: psychometric properties and utility to detect diagnostic specific malingering
UMass Chan Affiliations
Department of PsychiatryDocument Type
Journal ArticlePublication Date
2006-10-04Keywords
AdolescentAdult
Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures
Female
Humans
Male
Malingering
Mental Disorders
Patient Simulation
*Psychometrics
Southwestern United States
Health Services Research
Mental and Social Health
Psychiatric and Mental Health
Psychiatry
Psychiatry and Psychology
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This study examined the ability of the M-FAST to differentiate a group of undergraduate students simulating one of four DSM-IV diagnoses (n = 190; schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder) and a clinical comparison sample drawn from previous M-FAST studies comprising individuals with the same diagnosis (n = 142). Across all diagnostic conditions, the simulators obtained higher M-FAST total scores than the clinical comparisons, and the rare combinations scale was equal or superior to the total score at differentiating the groups. The M-FAST was most efficient at distinguishing feigned from bona fide schizophrenia. Although the internal consistency of the total score was high (alpha = 0.88), inter-item correlations were lower than values reported in previous research. Lastly, given the importance of base rate considerations in the evaluation of diagnostic instruments, it was notable that the M-FAST was able to identify malingerers even at relatively low base rates.Source
Behav Sci Law. 2006;24(5):687-702. Link to article on publisher's siteDOI
10.1002/bsl.706Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/45226PubMed ID
17016812Related Resources
Link to Article in PubMedae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1002/bsl.706