Validation of symptom validity tests using a "child-model" of adult cognitive impairments

Abstract

Validation studies of symptom validity tests (SVTs) in children are uncommon. However, since children's cognitive abilities are not yet fully developed, their performance may provide additional support for the validity of these measures in adult populations. Four SVTs, the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), the Word Memory Test (WMT), the Amsterdam Short-Term Memory (ASTM) test, and the Word Completion Memory Test (WCMT), along with several neuropsychological instruments were administered to 48 Dutch school children aged 7-12. All children scored above the established adult cut-offs on the TOMM and the WMT. They could pass the ASTM test if their reading skills were at a level equivalent to that of 9 year olds. All children passed our criterion of a negative WCMT score. However, the WCMT does seem sensitive to the level of verbal fluency. Implications for the applicability of these SVTs in adult populations are discussed. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.