TY - JOUR
T1 - A Validation of the Test of Memory Malingering in a Forensic Psychiatric Setting
AU - Weinborn, Michael
AU - Orr, T.
AU - Woods, S.P.
AU - Conover, E.
AU - Feix, J.
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) has not been adequately validated in a forensic psychiatric setting. Dissimulation of cognitive impairment, as assessed by the TOMM, was evaluated in a group of 25 forensic inpatients admitted for evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial (CST/MSO group), and hypothesized to be at higher risk for feigning cognitive impairment. A comparison group of 36 patients, who were either civilly committed or adjudicated Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (CIVIL/NGRI group), were hypothesized to be less likely to feign cognitive impairment. Groups were comparable in age, education, premorbid intelligence, and psychiatric symptom severity. Significantly more CST/MSO patients (36%) scored below a recommended TOMM cutoff score relative to CIVIL/NGRI patients (6%). Findings indicate excellent specificity and modest sensitivity, and generally support the validity of the TOMM in a forensic psychiatric population. The utility of different cutoff scores and need for multiple indicators of effort are discussed.
AB - The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) has not been adequately validated in a forensic psychiatric setting. Dissimulation of cognitive impairment, as assessed by the TOMM, was evaluated in a group of 25 forensic inpatients admitted for evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial (CST/MSO group), and hypothesized to be at higher risk for feigning cognitive impairment. A comparison group of 36 patients, who were either civilly committed or adjudicated Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (CIVIL/NGRI group), were hypothesized to be less likely to feign cognitive impairment. Groups were comparable in age, education, premorbid intelligence, and psychiatric symptom severity. Significantly more CST/MSO patients (36%) scored below a recommended TOMM cutoff score relative to CIVIL/NGRI patients (6%). Findings indicate excellent specificity and modest sensitivity, and generally support the validity of the TOMM in a forensic psychiatric population. The utility of different cutoff scores and need for multiple indicators of effort are discussed.
U2 - 10.1076/jcen.25.7.979.16481
DO - 10.1076/jcen.25.7.979.16481
M3 - Article
C2 - 13680444
SN - 1380-3395
VL - 25
SP - 979
EP - 990
JO - Neuropsychology, Development and Cognition. Section A: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
JF - Neuropsychology, Development and Cognition. Section A: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
IS - 7
ER -