Abstract
The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and the Word Memory Test (WMT) are measures designed to detect poor effort that have been extensively used with adults. Little research has been conducted examining whether these tests are suitable for use in children. The aims of the present study were to (a) examine if children between the ages of 6 and 11 years were able to obtain scores above cutoffs recommended for adults on the TOMM, (b) identify clinically useful cutoff scores for the oral WMT, (c) determine whether the TOMM and the oral WMT were able to differentiate controls (n = 50) and coached simulators (n = 40) aged 6 to 11 years, and, lastly, (d) reading ability, nonverbal reasoning and vocabulary level were measured to determine if these factors affected performance on the TOMM and oral WMT. Results revealed that 98% of children instructed to perform at their best were able to meet criteria on the TOMM. Based on a cutoff score of less than 78.5% on the mean of the Immediate and Delayed Trials of the oral WMT, 98% of the controls and 90% of the coached simulators were correctly identified. Results indicated that the TOMM and oral WMT are useful measures for the detection of enactment in children as young as 6.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 105-118 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Child Neuropsychology |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2010 |
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Detection of simulated memory impairment in 6- to 11-Year-old children. / Gunn, David; Batchelor, Jennifer; Jones, Mike.
In: Child Neuropsychology, Vol. 16, No. 2, 03.2010, p. 105-118.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Detection of simulated memory impairment in 6- to 11-Year-old children
AU - Gunn, David
AU - Batchelor, Jennifer
AU - Jones, Mike
PY - 2010/3
Y1 - 2010/3
N2 - The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and the Word Memory Test (WMT) are measures designed to detect poor effort that have been extensively used with adults. Little research has been conducted examining whether these tests are suitable for use in children. The aims of the present study were to (a) examine if children between the ages of 6 and 11 years were able to obtain scores above cutoffs recommended for adults on the TOMM, (b) identify clinically useful cutoff scores for the oral WMT, (c) determine whether the TOMM and the oral WMT were able to differentiate controls (n = 50) and coached simulators (n = 40) aged 6 to 11 years, and, lastly, (d) reading ability, nonverbal reasoning and vocabulary level were measured to determine if these factors affected performance on the TOMM and oral WMT. Results revealed that 98% of children instructed to perform at their best were able to meet criteria on the TOMM. Based on a cutoff score of less than 78.5% on the mean of the Immediate and Delayed Trials of the oral WMT, 98% of the controls and 90% of the coached simulators were correctly identified. Results indicated that the TOMM and oral WMT are useful measures for the detection of enactment in children as young as 6.
AB - The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and the Word Memory Test (WMT) are measures designed to detect poor effort that have been extensively used with adults. Little research has been conducted examining whether these tests are suitable for use in children. The aims of the present study were to (a) examine if children between the ages of 6 and 11 years were able to obtain scores above cutoffs recommended for adults on the TOMM, (b) identify clinically useful cutoff scores for the oral WMT, (c) determine whether the TOMM and the oral WMT were able to differentiate controls (n = 50) and coached simulators (n = 40) aged 6 to 11 years, and, lastly, (d) reading ability, nonverbal reasoning and vocabulary level were measured to determine if these factors affected performance on the TOMM and oral WMT. Results revealed that 98% of children instructed to perform at their best were able to meet criteria on the TOMM. Based on a cutoff score of less than 78.5% on the mean of the Immediate and Delayed Trials of the oral WMT, 98% of the controls and 90% of the coached simulators were correctly identified. Results indicated that the TOMM and oral WMT are useful measures for the detection of enactment in children as young as 6.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77951049049&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09297040903352564
DO - 10.1080/09297040903352564
M3 - Article
VL - 16
SP - 105
EP - 118
JO - Child Neuropsychology
T2 - Child Neuropsychology
JF - Child Neuropsychology
SN - 0929-7049
IS - 2
ER -