Exploring the Utility of the SRSI for Detecting Invalid Reports of ADHD Symptoms

Schlesselmann, Anna Thalea (2022) Exploring the Utility of the SRSI for Detecting Invalid Reports of ADHD Symptoms. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

The self-report instruments used to diagnose attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are susceptible to invalid symptom reports by the patients who are being assessed. Therefore, including validity testing in the assessment of ADHD is important. The current study uses a simulation design to assess the utility of a new symptom validity test, the Self-Report- Symptom Inventory (SRSI) by Merten and colleagues for detecting invalid ADHD symptom reports. The SRSI combines items reflecting genuine and pseudosymptoms which are used to detect feigning. Further, the results were compared to previous outcomes for the Conners’ Infrequency Index (CII) in the Conners’ Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Rating Scale (CAARS). Lastly, the relationship between performance and symptom validity tests in classifying feigning participants was examined. Participants were divided into a control group (N = 55), an instructed to feign ADHD symptom group (N = 43), and a genuine ADHD patient group (N = 25). All three groups provided data for the SRSI. Additionally, the control and feigning groups were administered other validity tests such as the CAARS, and the Reliable Digit Span (RDS). The results show that the pseudosymptom scale of the SRSI was able to significantly distinguish between feigners and patients with ADHD (d = 1.21) and achieved a sensitivity of 72.1% and a specificity of 64% and outperforms previously found results for the CII. Additionally, the classification of feigners on the RDS and SRSI was significantly associated (Cramer’s V = 0.56). Overall, there is initial support for the SRSI as an instrument for identifying feigned ADHD symptoms.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Fuermaier, A.B.M.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2022 11:18
Last Modified:	24 Jun 2022 11:18
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/606

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