Comparing the cognitive bias scale and cognitive bias scale of scales to other personality assessment inventory validity scales for detecting noncredible memory dysfunction in a clinical veteran sample.

Abstract

Introduction: The Cognitive Bias Scale (CBS) and the three Cognitive Bias Scale of Scales (CB-SOS) were developed for the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) to assess for cognitive response bias in neuropsychological settings and populations. While cross-validation research to date has been supportive, the scales have yet to be validated in a clinically referred veteran sample.

Method: Patients (N = 235) were clinically referred veterans who underwent neuropsychological evaluations. Individuals were classified into valid or invalid memory performance groups based on a criterion performance validity test. The CBS, the three CB-SOS, and multiple core and supplemental PAI symptom validity indices were examined.

Results: Both the CBS and the three CB-SOS had large correlations with multiple over-report validity scales, and high concurrent elevation rates were observed across many of the over-report validity scales. The greatest area under the curve rates (i.e. .70 or above) were seen for the CBS, two of the CB-SOS, and one psychiatrically focused validity index. When maintaining specificity at ≥90%, the CBS and two of the CB-SOS demonstrated the best sensitivity rates (i.e. 28-29%).

Conclusions: While the CBS and the three CB-SOS have strong positive relationships with psychiatrically-focused over-report validity indices, the CBS and two of the CB-SOS demonstrated the best classification accuracy rates for identifying noncredible memory impairment. The cutoff scores and classification accuracy findings are in line with other published research results, suggesting good generalization to a clinically referred veteran sample. Additional conclusions regarding other findings are drawn and discussed.