Detecting feigned impairment with the word list recognition of the Wechsler Memory Scale–3rd edition

Abstract

Primary objective: To cross-validate the WMS-III Word List Recognition (WLR) sub-test as an embedded symptom validity measure using a simulator validation paradigm.

Methods and procedures: Between subjects and cross-sectional correlational designs were employed with 27 traumatic brain injury (TBI), 30 control and 30 analogue malingerer participants. All participants were administered a battery of tests of cognitive functioning.

Results: The WLR yielded low-to-high levels of sensitivity (40–73%) and high specificity (95–100%), although there was some evidence to suggest that it is sensitive to severe cognitive impairment.

Conclusions: Overall the findings provide preliminary evidence to support the use of the WLR as an embedded symptom validity indicator. These findings, however, require further cross-validation with larger clinical samples in order to assess its ecological validity.

• Malingering
• WMS-III
• traumatic brain injury
• word list recognition