A survey of neuropsychologists' use of validity tests with children and adolescents. Issue 8 (16th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brooks, Brian L.; Ploetz, Danielle M.; Kirkwood, Michael W.
• Is Part Of: Child neuropsychology. Volume 22:Issue 8(2016)
• Page Start: 1001
• Page End: 1020
• Publication Date: 2016-11-16
• Subjects: Performance validity test -- Symptom validity -- Effort test -- Children -- Adolescents -- Malingering; Pediatric neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; Child development deviations -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; 618.92805
• DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2015.1075491
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0929-7049

Abstract

Abstract : A web-based survey of validity test use by North American neuropsychologists was conducted, with 282 participants meeting inclusion criteria. Respondents indicated that they use a median of one stand-alone performance validity test (PVT), one embedded PVT, and one symptom validity test (SVT) per pediatric assessment. The vast majority of respondents indicated they give at least one PVT (92%) and at least one SVT (88%) during each pediatric assessment. A meaningful difference in validity use (i.e., at least a medium effect size) was only found for those who engage in forensic work, with those clinicians giving more stand-alone PVTs than those who do not conduct forensic work. The most frequently used validity measures in pediatric assessments are presented, as are reasons participants reported for both using and not using validity tests. Limitations and qualitative comparisons to other surveys on validity test use with adults are discussed.