B - 146 An Analysis of Emotional Distress as a Predictor of Performance and Symptom Validity

Abstract Objective The current study examined the impact of emotional distress on measures of performance and symptom validity. It examined this relationship with the Victoria Symptom Validity Test (VSVT), the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) Reliable Digit span, and MMPI-2 FBS. Data Selection 83 participants were assessed at a Midwest clinic. Inclusion criteria required the administration of relevant tests. Data Synthesis A Binary logistic regression indicated that emotional distress was not a significant predictor of group identification via symptom validity: VSVT Difficult Items (p = 0.55) and WAIS-IV reliable Digit Span (p = 0.56). However, the MMPI-2 variables of emotional distress (Scales, 1, 2, 3, and 7) were predictive of FBS classification (P = 0.01). Follow up independent samples t-test comparing validity classification identified group difference on MMPI-2 scales of 1, 2,3, and 7 were only significant for MMPI-2 FBS and not VSVT and WAIS-IV RDS. Conclusions The current analysis identified that emotional distress, as measured by 4 MMPI-2 clinical scales, did not significantly predict validity classification via VSVT Hard Items or WAIS-IV RDS. In contrast, emotional distress was predictive of symptom validity classification as identified by MMPI-2 FBS cut score. Significant group differences in emotional distress were evident on all 4 MMPI-2 scales assessed when classified by FBS cut score. These constructs should be understood as unique in their relationship to emotional distress, with PVTs not being impacted by the endorsement of emotional distress, but SVT was associated with the endorsement of emotional distress.