The Explanatory Value of Cogniphobia for Noncredible Responding on Symptom Validity Measures of the CAARS.

Hochegger, Saskia (2022) The Explanatory Value of Cogniphobia for Noncredible Responding on Symptom Validity Measures of the CAARS. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

	Text BachelorThesis_s3913295_final.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (594kB)
	Text confidentiality permission.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (40kB)

Abstract

Cogniphobia is defined as the fear of mental/cognitive effort because of possible adverse consequences, such as worsening of existing symptoms (e.g. headaches). In past research, cogniphobia has been linked to failure on symptom validity tests and performance validity tests, due to avoidance of cognitive effort in clinical evaluations. However, this relationship has only been investigated in populations with TBI or other headache disorders, but not in patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Our study aims to investigate whether cogniphobia serves as a possible explanation for noncredible responding on ADHD evaluations. Methods: We used the Connor’s Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Rating Scale (CAARS) and its validity scales (CII, ACI, INC) to assess attention deficits and noncredible responding, and we used the c-scale to measure cogniphobia. Our sample consisted of 218 participants, recruited by the researchers and via our university system SONA. Results: Cogniphobia levels were significantly higher in the groups failing on the CII (p<.001, d=.745), the ACI (p<.001, d=1.168) and especially on the INC, measuring inconsistent responding (p<.001, d=2.674), compared to the groups not failing on those SVTs. Also, among the CAARS subscales, cogniphobia was moderately correlated with CAARS-E, r=.569 measuring inattention. Discussion: The INC, the ACI, and CAARS-E were the best predictors of high cogniphobia levels. However, we suggest that cogniphobia might be best reflected by inconsistent responding instead of symptom overreport. Additionally, inattention symptoms might provide a link between cogniphobia and noncredible responding. However, directionality and causality cannot be established, thus we suggest a reciprocal relationship. Further research should include a clinical ADHD group and a control group, to test whether the found effects also apply to real ADHD patients. Keywords: ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cogniphobia, SVT, noncredible responding.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Fuermaier, A.B.M.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2022 10:15
Last Modified:	24 Jun 2022 10:15
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/603

Actions (login required)

View Item