The prevalence of malingering in persons seeking compensation on the basis of neuropsychiatric symptoms
Date
2001
Authors
Hugo F.J.
Thornton H.B.
Emsley R.A.
Theron F.H.
de Villiers N.
Hemp F.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Objective. To determine the prevalence of malingering in a sample of patients seeking compensation for neuropsychiatric symptoms. Design. A cross-sectional study. Setting. The study was conducted in both academic and private practice in the Western Cape. Subjects. Thirty-eight patients referred for assessment by insurance companies and lawyers. Outcome measures. A visual analogue scale and threshold criteria for malingering were applied after a standard psychiatric examination was completed. Each subject then completed the following psychometric tests: the Dot-Counting Test (DCT), the Rey 15-item Test (Rey 15-item), the 21-item verbal memory Forced Choice Test (FCT) and the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS). Results. On a threshold scale method 25% of subjects were identified as showing possible malingering. On the psychometric tests 32 - 71% of subjects demonstrated possible simulation. Conclusions. The prevalence of malingering in a medicolegal setting may be high.
Description
Keywords
adult, article, clinical article, controlled study, disease simulation, female, health insurance, human, male, malingering, medicolegal aspect, neuropsychiatry, patient referral, prevalence, private practice, psychiatric diagnosis, psychologic assessment, psychometry, rating scale, South Africa, symptom, university hospital, visual analog scale
Citation
South African Journal of Psychiatry
7
4
7
4