Assessing Effort and Malingering with the Hispanic Client

Abstract

(from the chapter) In this chapter, the authors have reviewed some of the most commonly used and well-researched tests that aim to assess for malingering and/or effort. This review has revealed that there are several useful measures that can be used to assess for malingering with good psychometric properties available to for use with the Hispanic client. These measures, when administered appropriately and under the considerations described above, should serve as useful tools in discerning genuine psychological symptoms from symptoms of malingering. Thus, the inclusion of these measures in an assessment battery, particularly when feigning of symptoms is or could be expected, should aid in proper diagnosis and corresponding interventions for the Hispanic client. When administering a test that requires that results be interpreted with caution, this may be achieved by gathering additional data, i.e., administering additional tests that assess for malingering, corroborating the information provided with reliable collateral contacts, etc. In sum, a clinician should not be reluctant to diagnose their client with malingering. In fact, it is much more detrimental to the client to treat them for a disorder that does not exist and likely diverts resources from individuals with genuine mental illness. Thus, if there is substantial evidence to suggest that a V-code of malingering is merited, it is the ethical responsibility of the clinician to include this as part of a 5-axis diagnosis, and there are several reliable and valid assessment measures that can be used with the Hispanic client to help ascertain this information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)