Abstract

The purpose of this study was (a) to evaluate the effectiveness of the validity indices of the MMPI-2 in detecting overreporting of psychiatric disorder by mildly to moderately disturbed outpatients; (b) to differentiate between two response sets of symptom overreporting (Faking Bad and Cry for Help); (c) to cross validate cutting scores suggested by Rogers, Sewell, and Ustad (1995) for detection of exaggeration of psychiatric symptoms by chronic outpatients instructed to overreport problems in order to be hospitalized. Participants were 80 mild to moderately disturbed outpatients who were administered the MMPI-2 twice, once under standard instructions and again under Faking Bad or Cry for Help instructions. Similar to the results reported in the previous studies, Faking Bad and Cry for Help instructions produced significantly elevated scores on the F, Fb, and Fp scales, and F-K index as well as significantly lower scores on the K scale. Scores on all clinical scales were also significantly elevated in the Faking Bad and Cry for Help conditions. Overall, cutting scores suggested by Rogers et al. (1995) Worked fairly well although slightly higher scores on the Fb and Fp scales were needed. The attempt to differentiate between the two response sets for symptom overreporting, Faking Bad and Cry for Help, was not successful. However these results should not be taken to indicate that the particular response sets assessed in this study cannot be differentiated. Methodological issues reviewed suggest that further research may be able to yield more meaningful understanding of the nature of symptom overreporting in clinical settings.