The Importance of Assessing for Validity of Symptom Report and Performance in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Introduction to the Special Section on Noncredible Presentation in ADHD

• Published in: Psychological assessment 2017-12, Vol.29 (12), p.1427-1428
• Main Authors: Suhr, Julie A., Berry, David T. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Human; Malingering; Neuropsychological Assessment; Self-Report; Symptoms; Test Construction; Test Validity
• ISSN: 1040-3590; 1939-134X
• DOI: 10.1037/pas0000535

Invalid self-report and invalid performance occur with high base rates in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; Harrison, 2006; Musso & Gouvier, 2014). Although much research has focused on the development and validation of symptom validity tests (SVTs) and performance validity tests (PVTs) for psychiatric and neurological presentations, less attention has been given to the use of SVTs and PVTs in ADHD evaluation. This introduction to the special section describes a series of studies examining the use of SVTs and PVTs in adult ADHD evaluation. We present the series of studies in the context of prior research on noncredible presentation and call for future research using improved research methods and with a focus on assessment issues specific to ADHD evaluation. Public Significance Statement This introduction to the special section focused on assessing the validity of presentation in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) describes the growing research literature in this field. Emphasis is placed on the need to assess for both invalid self-report and invalid performance in ADHD evaluation and on presentation of the current state of the literature, as well as a call for continued and more rigorous research focused on unique issues in ADHD evaluation.