Grooved Pegboard adds incremental value over memory-apparent performance validity tests in predicting psychiatric symptom report

Abstract

The present study evaluated whether Grooved Pegboard (GPB), when used as a performance validity test (PVT), can incrementally predict psychiatric symptom report elevations beyond memory-apparent PVTs. Participants (N = 111) were military personnel and were predominantly White (84%), male (76%), with a mean age of 43 (SD = 12) and having on average 16 years of education (SD = 2). Individuals with disorders potentially compromising motor dexterity were excluded. Participants were administered GPB, three memory-apparent PVTs (Medical Symptom Validity Test, Non-Verbal Medical Symptom Validity Test, Reliable Digit Span), and a symptom validity test (Personality Assessment Inventory Negative Impression Management [NIM]). Results from the three memory-apparent PVTs were entered into a model for predicting NIM, where failure of two or more PVTs was categorized as evidence of non-credible responding. Hierarchical regression revealed that non-dominant hand GPB T-score incrementally predicted NIM beyond memory-apparent PVTs (F(2,108) = 16.30, p < .001; R² change = .05, β = −0.24, p < .01). In a second hierarchical regression, GPB performance was dichotomized into pass or fail, using T-score cutoffs (≤29 for either hand, ≤31 for both). Non-dominant hand GPB again predicted NIM beyond memory-apparent PVTs (F(2,108) = 18.75, p <.001; R² change = .08, β = −0.28, p < .001). Results indicated that noncredible/failing GPB performance adds incremental value over memory-apparent PVTs in predicting psychiatric symptom report.

Keywords:

• Grooved Pegboard
• performance validity test
• symptom validity test
• effort
• engagement

Disclosure statement

This article is based on data which have been submitted as a poster presentation to the 2022 Conference of the American Association of Clinical Neuropsychology. The study was not supported by funding or grants. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Data are the property of the Defense Health Agency and are maintained by Patrick Armistead-Jehle. The view(s) expressed in this manuscript are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of Defense Health Agency, Brooke Army Medical Center, the Department of Defense, nor any agencies under the U.S. Government. This work was prepared under Contract HT0014-22-C-0016 with DHA Contracting Office (CO-NCR) HT0014 and, therefore, is defined as U.S. Government work under Title 17 U.S.C.§101. Per Title 17 U.S.C.§105, copyright protection is not available for any work of the U.S. Government. For more information, please contact [email protected]. UNCLASSIFIED.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.