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AbstractDetecting malingered neurocognitive dysfunction is a major issue in forensic context, particularly in legal proceeding/insurance assessment after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), condition frequently associated with persistent cognitive impairments that may potentially be related to malingering. Consequently, research has devoted considerable efforts on developing tools to verify symptoms authenticity. This study compared two freestanding performance validity tests (PVTs) (Amsterdam Short-Term Memory Test—ASTM; Word Completion Memory Test—WCMT) and five embedded PVTs (Rey Complex Figure Test—RCFT—Copy and Recall trials; Reliable Digit Span—RDS; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test—RAVLT—Recognition and Total Learning trials) in a sample of 120 participants, including 15 patients with TBI (Mage = 44.40), 52 experimental simulators (Mage = 29.52) and 53 control (Mage = 29.77). Group performance was analyzed to assess tests’ discriminatory power, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to examine tools’ sensitivity and specificity. Results indicated that experimental simulators performance on the ASTM, WCMT, and RAVLT differed significantly from TBI patients and controls. The RDS and RCFT did not discriminate experimental simulators from TBI group. ROC curves analysis reveals that the most accurate tests in this battery for detecting malingering were the ASTM and the RAVLT-Total Learning score. This study offers implications for identifying malingering in medico-legal settings, underscoring the importance of incorporating PVTs into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe Self-Report Symptom Inventory (SRSI) is a novel tool designed to detect symptom overreporting and other forms of noncredible responding. Unlike existing scales, the SRSI includes genuine and pseudosymptoms scales covering cognitive, affective, motor, pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder domains. The present study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Italian Version of the SRSI (SRSI-It), in particular, its factor structure, reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and diagnostic accuracy. Data from 1180 healthy participants showed a hierarchical structure with higher-order constructs for genuine symptoms and pseudosymptoms, each comprising five subscales. The SRSI-It showed a strong convergent validity with the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology and discriminant validity through low correlations with the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined cut scores of 6 (95% specificity) and 9 (98% specificity) for pseudosymptoms, with a Ratio Index score of 0.289 (82% specificity). In summary, the SRSI-It appears to be a promising tool for identifying symptom exaggeration in clinical and forensic contexts, ultimately enhancing the quality and reliability of evaluations in these contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professionals are encouraged to include multiple symptom validity tests (SVTs) and multiple performance validity tests (PVTs) to assess the credibility of clinical and forensic presentations. Combining the Inventory of Problems–29 (IOP-29, an SVT) with its Memory module (IOP-M, a PVT), referred to here as ‘IOP-29-M’, may be especially beneficial, as it allows for rapid assessment of both symptom and performance validity. Accordingly, the present study aimed at ‘stress testing’ the IOP-29-M by examining base rates of failure (BRFail) in 109 patients with schizophrenia spectrum psychopathology, both with and without criminal convictions. In the overall sample, BRFail were low: 13.8% and 8.3%, respectively, for the standard (≥ .50) and conservative (≥ .65) cutoffs of the IOP-29, and 12.8% and 9.2%, respectively, for the standard (≤ 29) and conservative (≤ 28) cutoffs of the IOP-M. Importantly, very few individuals, less than 5%, failed both components of the IOP-29-M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the case of a defendant accused of homicide who exhibited amnesia, mental health difficulties and widespread cognitive impairments, casting doubt on his fitness to stand trial. Court-ordered assessments opined that he was unfit to stand trial. This paper describes further assessment, and the creation of a novel forced-choice performance validity test (PVT) specific to the defendant’s autobiographical memory and legal circumstances. Symptom validity tests (SVT) were administered to assess the veracity of observed mental health phenomena. The obtained results indicated statistically below chance performance and the feigning of several phenomena. To aid the Court, cumulative binomial probability values were also presented. The paper describes the findings made by the sentencing and appellate courts. It concludes by recommending, with reference to this case study, the use of recently proposed Multidimensional Malingering Criteria for Neurocognitive, Somatic, and Psychiatric Malingering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document titled "Author index" provides a list of authors and their corresponding articles published in the journal "Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology." The index includes a wide range of authors and topics, covering various aspects of obstetrics and gynecology. This resource can be useful for library patrons conducting research in these fields, as it provides a comprehensive list of authors and their contributions to the journal. [Extracted from the article]

The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) is a widely used performance validity measure that is available in both English and Spanish. The Spanish version, however, has historically lacked normative data from samples that are representative of the U.S. Hispanic/Spanish speaking population.The aim of the current study was to collect normative data on the update TOMM 2 for Hispanic individuals residing in the U.S.Normative data on the TOMM 2 was collected across 9 sites from different regions of the U.S. The total sample consisted of n = 188 cognitively healthy adults aged 18 and over with no current or prior history of neurological or psychiatric disorder. Descriptive analyses were performed on total raw scores.Participants obtained a mean score of 48.15 (SD = 2.81) on trial 1 of the TOMM 2, 49.86 (SD = 0.487) on trial 2, and 49.84 (SD = 0.509) on the recognition trial. Scores are provided for traditional cutoff scores as well as some popular cutoffs reported in the literature. Item level analyses were conducted as well as evaluation of performance based on a variety of demographics.When compared to the English-speaking normative sample used for the original TOMM, this sample demonstrated better performance on the TOMM 2 indicating better cultural appropriateness of the items. This is the first study conducted that provides culturally appropriate descriptive norms for use with Spanish speakers living in the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) often complain of executive functioning (EF) difficulties. There is a discrepancy between self-reported EF impairment and EF deficits on neuropsychological tests, with some arguing that self-report EF is more related to real-world functioning than EF tests. However, research suggests that self-reported EF may be related more to emotional distress and is vulnerable to invalid reporting. We examined the vulnerability of the short form Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS) to invalid reporting, using a simulated mTBI paradigm. We included four groups: individuals simulating mTBI with (N = 24) and without (N = 21) histories of mTBI/other psychological conditions and controls with (N = 21) and without (N = 25) histories of mTBI/other psychological conditions. As hypothesized, simulators performed worse on the BDEFS Total Score and EF Symptom Count relative to controls; however, this effect was larger within those who had no self-reported history of mTBI/other psychological conditions. We identified a preliminary cutoff on the EF Symptom Count that detected 42.8% of simulators, with 95% specificity relative to the controls with histories of mTBI/other psychological conditions. The present study emphasizes the need for validity scales on self-report EF measures such as the BDEFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questionnaire-based symptom validity tests (SVTs) are an indispensable diagnostic tool for evaluating the credibility of patients' claimed symptomatology, both in forensic and in clinical assessment contexts. In 2019, the comprehensive professional manual of a new SVT, the Self-Report Symptom Inventory (SRSI), was published in German. Its English-language version was first tested in the UK. This experimental analogue study investigated 20 adults simulating minor head injury symptoms and 21 honestly responding participants. The effect sizes of differences between the two groups were large, with the simulating group endorsing a higher number of pseudosymptoms, both on the SRSI and the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology, and scoring lower on the Reliable Digit Span than the control group. The results are similar to those obtained in previous research of different SRSI language versions, supporting the effort to validate the English-language SRSI version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dandachi-FitzGerald et al. (2022), published the article "Cry for help as a root cause of poor symptom validity: A critical note," in Applied Neuropsychology: Adult [Advance Online], arguing that the cry for help in forensic disability and related assessments is not a valid interpretation for poor symptom validity test results. This rebuttal contests the criticisms of the use of the cry for help in this context, as presented in Young (2019); "The Cry for help in a psychological injury and law: Concepts and review" that appeared in Psychological Injury and Law, Vol. 12, pp. 225–237. It calls for more programmatic research, for example, based on the cry for help questionnaire suggested by the author. In particular, it indicates, for example, that one SVT test failure in a test battery constitutes an assessment result that could allow for attributing the cry for help, everything else being equal. It suggests that the adaptational theory explains the cry for help as much as malingering. It suggests practice and court recommendations that will allow better rebuttals of unethical assessors who overuse/misuse/abuse the cry for help interpretation of poor symptom validity test results in forensic disability and related assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the cross-cultural validity of two freestanding performance validity tests (PVTs), the Test of Memory Malingering – Trial 1 (TOMM-1) and the Rey Fifteen Item Test (Rey-15) in Romanian-speaking patients. Methods: The TOMM-1 and Rey-15 free recall (FR) and the combination score incorporating the recognition trial (COMB) were administered to a mixed clinical sample of 61 adults referred for cognitive evaluation, 24 of whom had external incentives to appear impaired. Average scores on PVTs were compared between the two groups. Classification accuracies were computed using one PVT against another. Results: Patients with identifiable external incentives to appear impaired produced significantly lower scores and more errors on validity indicators. The largest effect sizes emerged on TOMM-1 (Cohen's d = 1.00–1.19). TOMM-1 was a significant predictor of the Rey-15 COMB ≤20 (AUC =.80;.38 sensitivity;.89 specificity at a cutoff of ≤39). Similarly, both Rey-15 indicators were significant predictors of TOMM-1 at ≤39 as the criterion (AUCs =.73–.76;.33 sensitivity;.89–.90 specificity). Conclusion: Results offer a proof of concept for the cross-cultural validity of the TOMM-1 and Rey-15 in a Romanian clinical sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some widely agreed-upon, official recommendations for professionals conducting psychological assessments suggest employing multiple symptom validity tests (SVTs) to screen the validity of symptom reports. Yet, SVTs are rarely validated in languages other than English, and no free-standing SVT exists in Serbia. To address this gap and stimulate further research on symptom validity within populations from the Balkans, we developed and tested a Serbian version of the Inventory of Problems – 29 (IOP-29). Following the same procedures used in prior IOP-29 validation studies (e.g., Akca et al., 2023), we administered the Serbian IOP-29 to 110 adult volunteers from Serbia. Participants completed the IOP-29 three times under different conditions: responding honestly, randomly, or by feigning a mental disorder (schizophrenia, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder). We examined the utility of both the False Disorder Probability Score (FDS), which is the chief feigning index of the IOP-29, and of a new index embedded in the IOP-29, which is aimed at detecting random or careless responding. Overall, our results demonstrated that the FDS effectively differentiated between feigned and honest presentations, achieving a sensitivity of 0.86 and a specificity of 0.96 when using the standard cutoff (FDS ≥ 0.50). In addition, the random responding index also successfully identified random responding, achieving a sensitivity of 0.64 and a specificity greater than 0.90 when using a midrange cutoff of T ≥ 67. These findings closely align with outcomes of Akca et al. (2023) and support meta-analytic literature reviews on the IOP-29. More broadly, this study advances and encourages further exploration of symptom validity testing in culturally diverse populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe assessment of performance validity is an important consideration to the interpretation of neuropsychological data. However, commonly used performance validity tests such as the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and Word Memory Test (WMT) have lengthy administration times (20–30 minutes). Alternatively, utilizing a screener of performance validity (e.g., the TOMM T1 or TOMMe10) has proven to be an effective method of assessing performance validity while conserving time. The present study investigates the use of the WMT Immediate Recognition (IR) Trial scores as a screening measure for performance validity using an archival mTBI polytrauma sample (n = 48). Results show that the WMT IR demonstrates a high degree of accuracy in predicting WMT Delayed Recognition (DR) Trial performance across a range of base rates suggesting that the WMT IR is a useful screening measure for noncredible performance. Clinical implications and selection of optimal cutoff are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Global Psychotrauma Screen (GPS) is a brief transdiagnostic screener that covers a broad range of trauma-related disorders as well as risk factors known to influence the course of symptoms. Methods: We analyzed data from African war refugees in Australia (n = 70), including the GPS, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5), the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Results: Using the Youden's J Index to examine the clinical validity of the GPS subscales measuring PTSD, dissociation, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), we found that a PTSD subscale score of 3 or higher, and a depression and dissociation subscale score of 1 or higher, was optimally efficient for detecting a probable diagnosis (Youden's J = 0.76, J = 0.72, and J = 0.90, respectively) with high sensitivity and specificity. We were unable to test the GPS clinical validity for GAD due to the low GAD occurrence. The GPS resilience item was not related to the total score (r = 0.02), indicating low convergent validity for resilience. Risk factors, including current stressors and childhood trauma history, were related to more severe GPS symptom scores, while lack of resilience, social support, and history of mental illness were not. Conclusion: We conclude that the GPS may be a useful screening tool for PTSD, depression, and the dissociative subtype in refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is possible that a portion of the competency crisis may be due to some defendants being misclassified as incompetent, secondary to evaluations of questionable thoroughness and quality, and perhaps over-reliance on interviews and lesser acquisition of collateral data. Meanwhile, a review of descriptive statistics suggests that, as criminal penalties have become increasingly harsh, requests for competency evaluations have proportionately increased. Thus, there is a risk that lengthy waiting lists, mounting time pressures, and attorney tactics may push evaluators in the direction of expediency, possibly at the expense of higher quality forensic work. Evaluators may therefore consider acquiring and perhaps more significantly relying upon relevant collateral informational sources, including police recorded interviews, jail recorded calls, social media content, and prior court records. While an evaluation of present mental state does not necessarily require significant background data, better use of technologies in an evaluation of competency may provide a more objective representation of competency-relevant, mental health-related history. So doing may help to solve a portion of the competency crisis that may be due to evaluations including inadequate collateral data. Best practice approaches, anecdotes, and limitations are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age and base rates of failure (BRFail) on various performance validity tests (PVTs) administered in medical–legal settings. Archival data were analyzed from 3,297 adults (Mage = 42.3 years; Meducation = 11.2) referred for psychological or neuropsychological assessments in a medical–legal or forensic civil disability context who passed the Word Memory Test. BRFail on 10 PVTs (three freestanding and seven embedded) were reported at multiple cutoffs across five age groups ranging from 16 years to 69 years. BRFail increased with age on most embedded PVTs, with a couple of notable exceptions. Reliable Digit Span was unrelated to age at ≤6 but produced elevated BRFail among older examinees at ≤7. Within freestanding PVTs, a positive relationship emerged between age and BRFail on most instruments/cutoffs. Older age is associated with an increased risk of false positive errors on many embedded PVTs that rely on raw scores. Although freestanding PVTs tend to be more resistant to the effects of age, several commonly used cutoffs may still produce increased false positive rates in older examinees. Taken together, results suggest that PVT scores should be interpreted in the context of patient characteristics, in an evidence-based manner, rather than by rigidly applying omnibus cutoffs. Public Significance Statement: Older adults are at a higher risk for being misclassified as demonstrating invalid performance on certain instruments designed to detect noncredible responding. However, strategically selecting the tests and cutoffs can effectively mitigate this risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to validate a novel parent-report measure of ADHD symptom inflation, the Parent-Reported ADHD Symptom Infrequency Scale (PRASIS), in a clinical sample. The PRASIS is composed of an Infrequency subscale and an ADHD subscale. Online participants were assigned to one of three groups: mothers of children with diagnosed ADHD (n = 110), mothers of children with diagnosed ODD and/or anxiety (n = 116), and mothers of children without ADHD, ODD, or anxiety. The third group was then randomized to either receive instructions to complete the questionnaire honestly (controls, n = 164) or to complete the questionnaire as if they were trying to convince a provider that their child has ADHD (simulators, n = 141). Results indicated good to excellent internal consistency (INF α = .83, ADHD Total α = .93); strong convergent validity of the PRASIS ADHD scale with the ADHD Rating Scale-5 (r(529) = .85, p < .001); excellent group discrimination of the PRASIS Infrequency scale and the PRASIS ADHD scale (η2 = 0.38–0.42); and specificity of 86.7, sensitivity of 67.4%, and an AUC of .86 for the Infrequency scale. Overall, these outcomes supported the utility of the PRASIS in samples including mothers of children with psychiatric diagnoses of ODD and/or anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional neurological symptom disorders (FNSD) pose a common challenge in clinical practice, particularly in pediatric cases where the clinical phenotypes can be intricate and easily confused with structural disturbances. The frequent coexistence of FNSDs with other medical disorders often results in misdiagnosis. In this review, we highlight the distinctions between FNSD and various psychiatric and neurological conditions. Contrary to the misconception that FNSD is a diagnosis of exclusion, we underscore its nature as a diagnosis of inclusion, contingent upon recognizing specific clinical features. However, our focus is on a critical learning point illustrated by the case of a 14-year-old male initially diagnosed with FNSD, but subsequently found to have a rare primary monogenic movement disorder (paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, PKD). The crucial takeaway from this case is the importance of avoiding an FNSD diagnosis based solely on psychiatric comorbidity and suppressible symptoms. Instead, clinicians should diligently assess for specific features indicative of FNSD, which were absent in this case. This emphasizes the importance of making a diagnosis of inclusion. Extended follow-up and clinical-oriented genetic testing might help identify comorbidities, prevent misdiagnosis, and guide interventions in complex cases, which cannot be simply classified as "functional" solely because other conditions can be excluded. Plain language summary: Understanding and Avoiding Mistakes in Diagnosing Children with Functional Neurological Symptom Disorders: A Review and Case Report: This article discusses Functional Neurological Symptom Disorders (FNSDs), focusing on misdiagnosis, differential diagnosis, and other diagnostic challenges, particularly in pediatric cases. FNSDs involve motor or sensory symptoms that are inconsistent over time and unexplained by neurological disease, often associated with psychosocial factors. The article highlights the complexity of distinguishing FNSDs from other neurological and psychiatric conditions, emphasizing the importance of careful evaluation. The authors review various conditions that can mimic FNSDs, such as epileptic seizures, syncope, and different motor disorders. They emphasize the need to consider psychiatric conditions in the differential diagnosis, including factitious disorders, and malingering. The article presents a case study of a 14-year-old with involuntary movements, initially diagnosed as having a Functional Movement Disorder. After careful evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with a genetic dystonia (PRRT2 mutation). The case shows the importance of not rely solely on psychological problems, bizarre presentations or suppressible symptoms when diagnosing FNSDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-inflicted dermatoses (SID) are not uncommon in dermatological practice. They can be classified into those associated with hidden or denied underlying behavior and those without hidden or denied underlying behavior. Malingering and factitious disorders are the most common of the first subgroup. Skin picking and related syndromes of compulsive and non-compulsive behavior belong to the second subgroup. Treatment is interdisciplinary, but sometimes frustrating. Conclusion: This method is a safe and efficient alternative to more invasive procedures by minimal to no social downtime and mild to no side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this pilot and exploratory study, we tested the robustness of three self-report symptom validity tests (SVTs) to symptom coaching for depression, with and without additional information available on the Internet. Specifically, we divided our sample (N = 193) so that each subject received either the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS; n = 64), the Self-Report Symptom Inventory (SRSI; n = 66), or the Inventory of Problems-29 (IOP-29; n = 63). Within each of the three subgroups, approximately one third of participants were instructed to respond honestly (Genuine Condition, nSIMS = 21; nSRSI = 24; nIOP-29 = 26) and approximately two-thirds were instructed to feign depression. One half of the feigners were presented with a vignette to increase their compliance with instructions and were given information about symptoms of depression (Coached Feigning, nSIMS = 25; nSRSI = 18; nIOP-29 = 21), and the other half were given the same vignette and information about symptoms of depression, plus two Internet links to review before completing the test (Internet-Coached Feigning, nSIMS = 18; nSRSI = 24; nIOP-29 = 16). Overall, the results showed that the genuine conditions yielded the lowest total scores on all three measures, while the two feigning conditions did not significantly differ from each other. Looking at the detection rates for all feigning participants, all three measures showed satisfactory results, with IOP-29 performing slightly better than SIMS and SIMS performing slightly better than SRSI. Internet-Coached Feigners scored slightly lower on all three measures than feigners who were coached without the Internet links. Taken together, the results of this preliminary and exploratory study suggest that all three SVTs examined are sensitive to feigned depression even in the presence of symptom coaching, both with and without additional Internet-based information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When patients fail symptom validity tests (SVTs) and/or performance validity tests (PVTs), their self-reported symptoms and test profiles are unreliable and cannot be taken for granted. There are many well-established causes of poor symptom validity and malingering is only of them. Some authors have proposed that a cry for help may underlie poor symptom validity. In this commentary, we argue that cry for help is a (1) metaphorical concept that is (2) difficult to operationalize and, at present, (3) impossible to falsify. We conclude that clinicians or forensic experts should not invoke cry for help as an explanation for poor symptom validity. To encourage conceptual clarity, we propose a tentative framework for explaining poor symptom validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Symptom validity tests (SVTs) and performance validity tests (PVTs) are important tools in sociomedical assessments, especially in the psychosomatic context where diagnoses mainly depend on clinical observation and self-report measures. This study examined the relationship between reaction times (RTs) and scores on the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS). It was proposed that slower RTs and larger standard deviations of reaction times (RTSDs) would be observed in participants who scored above the SIMS cut-off (>16). Methods: Direct surface electromyography (EMG) was used to capture RTs during a computer-based RT test in 152 inpatients from a psychosomatic rehabilitation clinic in Germany. Correlation analyses and Mann-Whitney U were used to examine the relationship between RTs and SIMS scores and to assess the potential impact of covariates such as demographics, medical history, and vocational challenges on RTs. Therefore, dichotomized groups based on each potential covariate were compared. Results: Significantly longer RTs and larger RTSDs were found in participants who scored above the SIMS cut-off. Current treatment with psychopharmacological medication, diagnosis of depression, and age had no significant influence on the RT measures. However, work-related problems had a significant impact on RTSDs. Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between longer and more inconsistent RTs and indicators of exaggerated or feigned symptom report on the SIMS in psychosomatic rehabilitation inpatients. Findings from this study provide a basis for future research developing a new RT-based PVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to verify the capacity of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 (IDCP-2) factors to identify people with high levels of dependent personality disorder (DPD) traits in a Brazilian sample extracted from the general population. Participants were 1469 adults who responded to factors from the IDCP-2, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), and the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV—Personality Questionnaire (PQ-SCID-II). We found three profiles via Latent Profile Analysis using PID-5 facets. Based on the discrimination capacity of IDCP-2 factors to identify these profiles, we created a DPD score for screening patients showing high levels of DPD traits. The IDCP-2 factors were discriminative of the profiles, showing large effects, except Perseveration. The DPD score presented a cutoff equal to 23 with good discriminative indicators, prioritizing the ability to produce fewer false negatives, and higher than those observed in the PQ-SCID-II. The DPD score can be clinically employed to indicate patients presenting a profile matching the DPD pattern. Moreover, the DPD score can assist the professional in mapping the patient's pathological profile into typical DPD traits, as well as helping to plan more personalized interventions. Studies focusing on clinical samples must be conducted to investigate whether our findings replicate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Illness intrusiveness refers to the subjective cognitive appraisal of a chronic health condition interfering in daily, valued activities and may be highly relevant for parents of children with atypical genital appearance due to differences of sex development (DSD). However, a measure of illness intrusiveness has not been validated for this population. The current study aimed to evaluate the factor structure of the Illness Intrusiveness Scale for Parents (IIS-P) and examine convergent validity. Methods Participants included 102 parents (M age = 33.39 years, SD  =   6.48; 58% mothers) of 65 children (<2 years old) diagnosed with DSD participating in a larger, longitudinal study. Parents completed the IIS-P as well as self-report measures of stigma, and anxious and depressive symptoms. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted. Results EFA results supported a 1-factor intrusiveness solution (α  =  .93), as well as a 2-factor solution measuring intrusiveness on daily living (α  =  .92) and community connectedness (α  =  .85). The 1-factor solution and both factors of the 2-factor solution demonstrated significant convergent validity with stigma as well as anxious and depressive symptoms. Conclusions Support emerged for both 1- and 2-factor solutions of the IIS-P in parents of children with DSD. The decision to evaluate illness intrusiveness as a total score or to examine the subscales of daily living and community connectedness should be tailored to the unique aims of researchers and clinicians. Future research should conduct a confirmatory factor analysis with both 1- and 2-factor models with larger, more diverse samples of caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) as an ultra-brief screener of depression and anxiety in the Philippines during the COVID-19 outbreak. Data from 4,524 non-clinical community respondents aged 18-73 years old was collected online between March and July 2020. We evaluated the screener's factor structure, measurement invariance, and criterion-related validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), multigroup CFA, and structural equation modeling (SEM), respectively. We also evaluated the accuracy of the PHQ-4 cut-off scores by comparing the them with the screeners' full scales (i.e., PHQ-9 and GAD-7). Using the cutoff scores of the screeners, we also estimated the prevalence rates of depression and anxiety. The PHQ-4 has good internal reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.82). The CFA results show that the two-factor model has an excellent model fit that is superior to the one-factor model. The two-factor model held through increasingly constrained multigroup CFA models across gender, age, and geographical location groups, demonstrating measurement invariance. The SEM model supported the PHQ-4's theoretical association to stress, negative affect, and positive affect, supporting the screener's criterion-related validity. In estimating prevalence rates, among those screened by the PHQ-4 cut-off scores for depression (n = 1,905, 42.11%) and anxiety (n = 1,853, 40.96%), 81.78% and 94.06% were consequently screened by the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, respectively. This study supports the reliability, validity, and measurement invariance of the PHQ-4 as an ultra-brief screener of depression and anxiety in a large community sample in Southeast Asia. The inclusion of ultra-brief screeners in COVID-19-related studies and other human disasters, especially among non-clinical samples in low- and middle-income countries, is relevant for the sustainable evaluation and monitoring of the severity mental health symptoms leading to timely and effective mental health service provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Effort Index (EI) may be unreliable at its standard recommended cutoff score when used with forensic psychiatric inpatient populations given high rates of genuine cognitive impairment. The present study sought to (a) examine the rate of invalid performance on the RBANS EI using the standard cutoff among incompetent to stand trial (IST) inpatients and (b) investigate the psychometric properties of the RBANS EI at various cutoff scores. This study was conducted using archival assessment data collected at a large forensic psychiatric hospital. Across the entire sample (N = 238, 79% male, Mage = 45 years, 24% primary Spanish-speaking), 79% were diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Experiment 1 of the study (n = 165) contained IST patients who were classified as having a valid presentation. Experiment 2 contained a valid (n = 46) and invalid (n = 27) presentation group comprised of postadjudication and IST inpatients, respectively. In Experiment 1, over one third (36.4%) of the valid presentation sample scored above the standard recommended EI cutoff. In Experiment 2, applying the standard recommended cutoff score of >3 was associated with a false positive rate of over 20%. Obtaining <10% false positive errors was achieved at a cutoff score of >5. At this cutoff score, the estimated local base rate of invalid responding among IST patients was 28%. Clinical and forensic implications and recommendations for adopting this more conservative RBANS EI cutoff score are discussed. Public Significance Statement: The current research suggests that individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who reside in forensic hospital settings are at risk for being falsely identified as putting forth invalid performance on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status Effort Index when using the standard recommended cutoff score, which may be related to high rates of genuine cognitive impairment. As such, an alternative Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status Effort Index cutoff score is recommended when assessing individuals in these and similar settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Final year medical students and postgraduate doctors regularly contend with feelings of under-preparedness when transitioning into new areas of clinical practice. This lack of confidence is most evident in the context of on-call work which frequently requires sound clinical prioritisation, rigorous decision making and the management of acutely unwell patients, often with reduced senior support and staffing. This has prompted the emergence of on-call simulation which seeks to enhance participant confidence in performing on-call tasks and facilitate the development of key clinical and non-technical skills. This narrative review examined the use of on-call simulation in medical student and newly qualified doctor cohorts, its effectiveness in achieving its stated outcomes and to identify novel areas for the development of existing models. Method: A search strategy was developed in conjunction with a specialist medical librarian. OVID Medline and Embase searches identified articles related to the use and design of on-call simulation in medical education with no restrictions placed upon date or language of publication. Key findings from articles were summarised to develop comprehensive themes for discussion. Results: Twenty Three unique publications were reviewed which unanimously reported that on-call simulation had a positive effect on self-reported participant confidence in performing on-call roles. Furthermore the value on-call simulation when used as an induction activity was also evident. However, there was limited evidence around improved patient and performance outcomes following simulation. It also remains resource intensive as an educational tool and there is a distinct absence of interprofessional education in current models. Conclusions: We concluded that on-call simulation must adopt an interprofessional educational approach, incorporating other clinical roles. Further studies are needed to characterise the impact on patient outcomes. It remains highly useful as a confidence-boosting induction activity, particularly in specialities where clinical exposure is limited. Virtual and tabletop simulation formats, could potentially address the resource burden of manikin-based models, particularly with ever growing demands on medical educators and the expansion of training posts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a long-term complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). The gold standard for diagnosis of DKD is kidney biopsy, but it is difficult to perform. Several clinical conditions have found an association between higher ANGPTL4 plasma levels in DKD. Angiopoeitin Like 4 (ANGPTL4) is a glycoprotein that regulates lipid and glucose metabolism, mediates proteinuria and is involved in glomerular disease. Studies have found ANGPTL4 levels to be elevated in diabetic conditions. Objective: To investigate the role of serum ANGPTL4 as a marker for early detection of DKD. Methods: A total of 87 patients with Type 2 DM were analysed using an observational analytic method with a crosssectional design. The study subjects were divided into DKD and non DKD groups, then serum ANGPTL4 was measured using the sandwich ELISA method. Furthermore, ANGPTL index cutoff was determined. Several other variables including glycemic control, duration of DM, history of hypertension, and dyslipidemia were analysed for their association with DKD and non DKD groups. The study continued by conducting multivariate analysis with logistic regression. Results: A total of 23 (26.4%) subjects were classified as DKD and 64 (73.6%) subjects as non DKD. ANGPTL cutoff determination of 16.64 ng/mL had a sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 51.6%, respectively. Bivariate analysis showed glycaemic control, duration of DM, and serum ANGPTL4 (p=0.044; p=0.009; p=0.014) were associated with the incidence of DKD. Multivariate analysis showed that serum ANGPTL4 with a cutoff of >16.64 ng/mL could be used as an independent predictor of DKD incidence with an adjusted OR of 6.73 (95%CI= 1.79-25.30; p=0.005). Conclusion: serum ANGPTL4 is an independent predictor of DKD. Suggestion: Urine sampling for UACR examination twice, periodic examination of serum ANGPTL4 levels to assess the progressiveness of DKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine the normal frequency of obtaining one or more scores considered potentially problematic based on normative comparisons when completing the NIH Toolbox Emotion Battery (NIHTB-EB). Method Participants (N  = 753; ages 18–85, 62.4% women, 66.4% non-Hispanic White) from the NIHTB norming study completed 17 scales of emotional functioning fitting into three subdomains (i.e. Negative Affect, Psychological Well-being, Social Satisfaction). Scores were considered potentially problematic if they were 1 SD above/below the mean, depending on the orientation of the scale, and cutoffs for 1.5 and 2 SD were also included for reference. Multivariate base rates quantified the rate at which participants obtained one or more potentially problematic scale or subdomain scores. Results The portion of participants obtaining one or more potentially problematic scores on the NIHTB-EB scales and subdomains was 61.2 and 23.2%, respectively. Participants who were younger (i.e. 18–49) or had less education had higher rates of potentially problematic scores within specific subdomains. There were no significant differences by sex or race/ethnicity. Conclusions Elevated scores on the NIHTB-EB were common in the normative sample and related to education/age. The multivariate base rates provided indicate obtaining one or more potentially problematic scores on the NIHTB-EB is broadly normal among adults, which may guard against overinterpreting a single score as clinically significant. These base rates should be considered in the context of other assessment findings, such as interviews, medical history or informant reports, to ensure that true emotional problems are not dismissed, and normal variation in emotional functioning is not pathologized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Taxonomy of an Enslaved Heart" opens up the figuration of heartache, so common to sentimental writings, to consider how it can signify anatomical pain as well. What does it mean to read figuratively—accepting that every instance of a heart broken or throbbing or heavy indexes emotional pain addressing the reader's sympathy—and, at the same time, to literalize these instances, so that each one refers to a specific episode in the history of a circulatory system? This essay attempts to hold both in tension, even as they resist each other. Attending to texts by Harriet Jacobs, Mary Prince, Sojourner Truth, and James Baldwin, the essay argues for what it calls the story of the heart: a minoritized account of pain that deforms sentimental language to register at once somatically, mentally, and intersubjectively. Because of its insecure legibility, the story of the heart subverts the biopolitical logic of legitimacy that traps many patients who are Black, disabled, or both today. What emerges from holding figuration with literalization subtly shifts the illnesses we know and the conditions by which we know them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a series of articles in 2023, Leonhard has presented criticisms of extant approaches to the use and interpretation of performance validity tests (PVTs) in malingering determinations in neuropsychological assessments. This paper reviews the relevant details of the articles relevant commentary. In the first article, Leonard describes statistical issues. In the second, he moves on to methodological ones. His third article responds to commentaries on the first two articles. The fourth article gives implications for court, and whether standard approaches to the use of PVTs in malingering determinations meet expected scientific standards according to the SCOTUS decision of Daubert. Among the criticisms he raises, he queries: (a) whether PVTs are independent, in that they are too collinear; (b) classificatory algorithms do not use all relevant statistics; (c) the studies in the field do not typically present confidence intervals; (d) the studies on the validity of available PVTs are circular because they typically use PVTs to define malingering status; (e) classification accuracy statistics are overinflated by typically excluding indeterminate cases; and (f) validation studies reflect a high risk of bias, as demonstrated for one PVT reviewed. Both Leonhard and the present article call for more research on these questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the increasing somatic symptoms in adolescents and youth is essential in epidemiological surveillance. This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8), a brief instrument assessing somatic symptoms in Chinese youth and adolescents using both Classical Test Theory and Rasch Measurement Theory using two independent samples (N = 398 and 16,231). Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients. Construct validity, and convergent and discriminant validity were examined by Spearman's correlations of the items or scale with external instruments and internal symptom domains. Structural validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Rasch analysis was performed including rating scale functioning, unidimensionality, item difficulties and person abilities, item and person reliabilities and separation, and differential item functioning (DIF). The Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega were both 0.82 (Sample 1) and 0.92 (Sample 2). The SSS-8 score correlated with two subscales of depression and anxiety (r = 0.56 and 0.62, p < 0.001), and positive mental health (r = -0.31, p < 0.001). All items strongly correlated with their own domains (r > 0.70). The CFA confirmed the high-order factor model and found partial invariance across gender. In Rasch analysis, step calibrations and category measures indicated adequate category functioning. The unidimensionality was proved as no second dimension occurred. The SSS-8 was found able to separate the participants into two levels of somatic symptoms. No significant DIF was detected across gender. The findings supported the use of the SSS-8 to assess somatic symptoms in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stratification is an important design feature of many studies using complex sampling designs and it is often used in large-scale assessment (LSA) studies, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), for two main reasons. First, stratification variables that achieve a high between and low within strata variance can improve the efficiency of a survey design. Second, stratification allows one to, explicitly or implicitly, control for sample sizes across subpopulations. It ensures that some parts of a population are in the sample in predetermined proportions. In this study, we determine through simulation which stratification scheme is best for PISA in Germany. For this, we consider the constraints imposed by the international sampling design, the available information about schools, and specific national characteristics of the German educational system. We examine seven different stratification designs selected based on scenarios used in past LSAs in Germany and theoretical considerations for future implementations. The chosen scenarios were compared with two reference scenarios: (1) an unstratified design and (2) a synthetic optimal stratification design. The simulation study reveals that the stratification design currently applied in PISA produces satisfactory results regarding sampling precision. The present stratification design is based on Germany's federal states and school types. However, this approach leads to small strata, which has been problematic for estimating sampling variance in previous cycles. Therefore, alternative stratification scenarios were considered and, in addition to overcoming the small-strata problem, also led to smaller standard errors for estimates of student mean performance in mathematics, science, and reading. As a result of this study, we recommend considering three different stratification designs for Germany in future cycles of PISA. These recommendations aim to: (1) improve the sampling efficiency while keeping the sample size constant, (2) follow a sound methodological approach, and (3) make conservative and cautious changes while maintaining a reflection of the structure of the German federal school system with different school types. These suggestions include a reinvented stratification of grouped German federal states and designs with school types as explicit stratifiers and federal states as implicit stratifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the effect of preparation time and financial incentives on healthy adults' ability to simulate traumatic brain injury (TBI) during neuropsychological evaluation. A retrospective comparison of two TBI simulator group designs: a traditional design employing a single-session of standard coaching immediately before participation (SIM-SC; n = 46) and a novel design that provided financial incentive and preparation time (SIM-IP; n = 49). Both groups completed an ecologically valid neuropsychological test battery that included widely-used cognitive tests and five common performance validity tests (PVTs). Compared to SIM-SC, SIM-IP performed significantly worse and had higher rates of impairment on tests of processing speed and executive functioning (Trails A and B). SIM-IP were more likely than SIM-SC to avoid detection on one of the PVTs and performed somewhat better on three of the PVTs, but the effects were small and non-significant. SIM-IP did not demonstrate significantly higher rates of successful simulation (i.e., performing impaired on cognitive tests with <2 PVT failures). Overall, the rate of the successful simulation was ∼40% with a liberal criterion, requiring cognitive impairment defined as performance >1 SD below the normative mean. At a more rigorous criterion defining impairment (>1.5 SD below the normative mean), successful simulation approached 35%. Incentive and preparation time appear to add limited incremental effect over traditional, single-session coaching analog studies of TBI simulation. Moreover, these design modifications did not translate to meaningfully higher rates of successful simulation and avoidance of detection by PVTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to select the most suitable type of water turbine for the micro-hydro power plant (PLTMH) site in the Anggi District, Pegunungan Arfak Regency, West Papua Province. The study also aims to design the most optimal and effective turbine in terms of technical aspects and generator system reliability. This objective is directed towards providing recommendations for the development of the second unit of PLTMH Anggi in a more comprehensive manner rather than relying solely on expert recommendations without thorough analysis. The data used in this research was obtained from field surveys and secondary data sources. The initial step in selecting the turbine type involves manual turbine design calculations, taking into consideration parameters such as water flow, head height, and hydraulic efficiency. Based on these calculation results, the "Francis" turbine type was chosen as the preferred option, differing from the existing Propeller Tubular Type-S turbine installed in Unit 1. The selected turbine, "Francis," was then modeled using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with the Ansys Fluent software. These simulations provide computer-generated data on hydrodynamic characteristics, pressure distribution, and flow velocity around the turbine under various operational conditions. This research has significant implications for improving the efficiency and reliability of the micro-hydro power plant system for the optimal power and efficiency development of Unit 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional neurological disorders (FND) and somatization are common in clinical practice and medicolegal settings. These conditions are frequently disabling and, if arising following an accident, may lead to claims for legal compensation or occupational disability (such as social security disability insurance). However, distinguishing FND and somatization from symptoms that are intentionally produced (i.e., malingered or factitious) may pose a major forensic psychiatric challenge. In this article, we describe how somatoform disorders and FND lie along a spectrum of abnormal illness‐related behaviors, including factitious disorder, compensation neurosis, and malingering. We provide a systematic approach to the forensic assessment of FND and conclude by describing common litigation scenarios in which FND may be at issue. Forensic testimony may play an important role in the resolution of such cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social emotions such as shame and guilt are critical to social-emotional development in any culture because they help children and adolescents learn to adhere to the social rules and norms of their culture. However, most instruments that currently measure these emotions were validated only in samples from Western countries. This study aimed to translate and validate the Brief Shame and Guilt Questionnaire for Children (BSGQ-C) in children and adolescents living in Iran. A total of 453 children and adolescents aged 8 to 16 years filled out the BSGQ-C, consisting of 2 scales (Guilt: 6 items; Shame: 6 items) and questionnaires for social anxiety and worry. Factorial validity was confirmed by the intended two-factor structure, with an adequate test-score reliability for the scales. Concurrent validity was also confirmed: as expected, shame but not guilt was related to symptoms of social anxiety and worry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping literature review explores the correlation of a behavioral alteration commonly found in people with Klinefelter syndrome (KS), specifically fire setting. KS is the most common sex chromosome aneuploidy, presenting with a heterogeneous pattern of neuropsychiatric disorders. Several studies have specifically described fire-setting behavior in KS. A scoping literature review on KS and fire-setting behavior was conducted, consulting electronic databases. The research extended from 1988 to December 2023 and was limited to the English language. Finally, described is the experience of a young man who was diagnosed with KS and who presented with incendiary behavior despite having no psychiatric history. This article aims to investigate potential gaps in knowledge on this topic, considering its implications in the forensic field. Summarizing the review of literary sources,13 relevant case reports are included. No other reviews on this topic in forensic psychiatry were found. This search helped in assessing criminal liability in a similar case discussed in 2022. Given the further progress in forensic psychiatry, there is an incentive to better understand whether plausible triggers or a preliminary psychopathological predisposition for antisocial traits, for committing arsons, or even to develop a proper psychiatric issue, such as pyromania, might be found in KS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although risk takers are traditionally seen as liabilities, a growing body of research suggests that risk takers may be critical for organizational achievements because of their courage and willingness to take risks for the benefit of others. Despite the prevalence of risk taking in studies of strategic management and organizational behavior, we know very little about the implication of risk propensity on employee work performance. In this paper, we conceptualize contextual performance—behaviors that fall outside of normal job expectations—as a form of workplace risk taking. Results from a three-wave study of working adults revealed that risk propensity positively predicted both counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs) and pro-social rule-breaking behaviors (PSRBs) above the Big Five personality traits. We also found an indirect effect of risk propensity on organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) and PSRBs via an increased willingness to take risks at work. Taking an item-level approach, we found that the predictive validity of risk propensity was greater for specific performance items that independent judges rated as riskier. Our findings suggest that risk takers are more likely to engage in pro-social and counterproductive behaviors—particularly those that are rule-breaking or have elevated risks—in part due to an increased willingness to take risks at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the classification accuracy and resistance to coaching of the Inventory of Problems-29 (IOP-29) and the IOP-Memory (IOP-M) with a Spanish sample of patients diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and healthy participants instructed to feign. Method: Using a simulation design, 37 outpatients with mTBI (clinical control group) and 213 non-clinical instructed feigners under several coaching conditions completed the Spanish versions of the IOP-29, IOP-M, Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology, and Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire. Results: The IOP-29 discriminated well between clinical patients and instructed feigners, with an excellent classification accuracy for the recommended cutoff score (FDS ≥.50; sensitivity = 87.10% for coached group and 89.09% for uncoached; specificity = 95.12%). The IOP-M also showed an excellent classification accuracy (cutoff ≤ 29; sensitivity = 87.27% for coached group and 93.55% for uncoached; specificity = 97.56%). Both instruments proved to be resistant to symptom information coaching and performance warnings. Conclusions: The results confirm that both of the IOP measures offer a similarly valid but different perspective compared to SIMS when assessing the credibility of symptoms of mTBI. The encouraging findings indicate that both tests are a valuable addition to the symptom validity practices of forensic professionals. Additional research in multiple contexts and with diverse conditions is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In simulation-based training, learners apply skills in an environment that approximates the real conditions of work. Trainers who design a simulation also employ assumptions about the design of communication, or how they believe learners should communicate. More specifically, simulation-based training events draw work groups' attention to communication expectations related to timing, timelines, and timeliness. Competing perspectives may produce temporality tensions. To better understand how temporality tensions affect work and workers, I conducted a qualitative case study of a large, multi-agency disaster-response exercise (the 'Tall Grass' exercise), which simulated a search-and-rescue operation. I identified competing design logics related to synching work streams, pacing activities, and providing feedback or input at the 'right' time, and I identified counterproductive effects of adopted communication designs. In response to the findings, I suggest alternative designs for communication that offer better function, fit, and attention to fragmented interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the effect Australia's 'Medevac' legislation had on the way refugees were depicted by the Liberal-National Coalition and Australian Labor Party in their debate about immigration detention and border security. I argue that by enabling medical evacuations for people detained offshore, Medevac shifted debate about refugees and border security into the realm of the biomedical. I maintain this resulted in the biopolitical production of the figure of the malingering refugee, who falsifies illness to cross the border. While both parties produced this pejorative category, what distinguished them was the degree to which they believed malingering applicants could be rendered ' known ' via the medical border. For the ALP, Medevac could recruit the purported 'objectivity' of biomedicine, such that malingering applicants could be identified, and border security thereby supposedly maintained. Conversely, for the LNP, no such guarantee could be established, meaning for them, Medevac rendered the border and therefore the nation vulnerable to malingering applicants. Despite their differences, I argue both parties articulated the figure of the malingering refugee for similar nationalistic purposes. Namely, to justify the violence of the Australian border protection regime, while nevertheless simultaneously depicting themselves and the nation as fundamentally 'good': not in spite of, but because of their harsh border policing practices. In concluding, this article considers the applicability of its analysis both to the contemporary Australian context and abroad, such as the United States and UK, where similar border protection policies and discourses have emerged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality assessments help identify qualified job applicants when making hiring decisions and are used broadly in the organizational sciences. However, many existing personality measures are quite lengthy, and companies and researchers frequently seek ways to shorten personality scales. The current research investigated the effectiveness of a new scale-shortening method called supervised construct scoring (SCS), testing the efficacy of this method across two applied samples. Using a combination of machine learning with content validity considerations, we show that multidimensional personality scales can be significantly shortened while maintaining reliability and validity, and especially when compared to traditional shortening methods. In Study 1, we shortened a 100-item personality assessment of DeYoung et al.'s 10 facets, producing a scale 26% the original length. SCS scores exhibited strong evidence of reliability, convergence with full scale scores, and criterion-related validity. This measure, labeled the Short 10, is made freely available. In Study 2, we applied SCS to shorten an operational police personality assessment. By using SCS, we reduced test length to 25% of the original length while maintaining similar levels of reliability and criterion-related validity when predicting job performance ratings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Malingering is a differential diagnosis in the field of medical disorders, especially in the field of forensic medicine. In medicine, malingering is when a person imitates a medical or psychiatric disorder with external motivations to gain financial gain or avoid social or occupational duties. In some cases, diagnosing a medical or psychological condition from malingering can be challenging and difficult. In this case report, a patient with a history of multiple hospitalization, neurodevelopmental disorders, and intellectual disability requested to receive injectable Biperiden due to aggression, irritable mood, and neck deviation, and in order to receive it, he deliberately showed neck dystonia. This report aimed to discuss on a neuropsychiatric symptom, after which the patient requested a drug injection to resolve it, in order to differentiate possible diagnoses such as drug complication, factitious disorder, and functional neurological symptom disorder. On the other hand, during the recent searches of similar texts, conflicting results and suggestions have been presented.

The evaluation of the needs of convicts is a critical issue for the design of the intervention. Nonetheless, in the information reported by convicts in penitentiary evaluation, simulation (malingering) and dissimulation (denial of symptoms, social desirability, and both) must be suspected. Thus, a field study with the aim of estimating the prevalence rate of the distortions and its effects in the needs reported by convicts was designed. A total of 624 men convicted for intimate partner violence reported their needs in the MMPI-2 in the reception phase of a penitentiary intervention program. Results: tion consisting in denial of symptoms, .112 [.087, .137], social desirability, .223 [.190, .256], and the combination of both two, .120 [.095, .145]. The effects in denial of symptoms emerged in the information of less depressive (i.e., lack of interest in activities, excessive sensitivity, lack of sociability), paranoid (i.e., interpersonal sensitivity and perceptiveness), psychasthenic (i.e., general subjective distress and negative affect), schizoid (i.e., alienation, chaotic interpersonal relations, and disruptive cognitive processes), and hypomanic (i.e., hyperactivity, irritability, and sensation seeking) symptoms. Likewise, social desirability dissimulators detailed significantly less depressive, psychopathic (i.e., less general social maladjustment), paranoid, psychasthenic, schizoid, and hypomanic symptoms. Similarly, the whole dissimulators (combining denial of symptoms and social desirability responses) informed less depressive, psychopathic, paranoid, psychasthenic, schizoid, and hypomanic symptoms, and fewer problems of social introversion. Conversely, they related significantly more symptoms of hysteria (i.e., physical complaints). Distortions introduced by convicts in self-reports must be controlled to design effective correctional interventions.