The Stroop Test as a Measure of Performance Validity in Adults Clinically Referred for Neuropsychological Assessment

This study was designed to develop performance validity indicators embedded within the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Systems (D-KEFS) version of the Stroop task. Archival data from a mixed clinical sample of 132 patients (50% male; MAge = 43.4; MEducation = 14.1) clinically referred for neuropsych...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological assessment 2018-06, Vol.30 (6), p.755-766
Main Authors: Erdodi, Laszlo A, Sagar, Sanya, Seke, Kristian, Zuccato, Brandon G, Schwartz, Eben S, Roth, Robert M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Executive Function
Female
Human
Humans
Index (Testing)
Male
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests
Neuropsychology
Personality traits
Psychological tests
Psychometrics
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Stroop Effect
Stroop Test
Test Construction
Test Validity
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study was designed to develop performance validity indicators embedded within the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Systems (D-KEFS) version of the Stroop task. Archival data from a mixed clinical sample of 132 patients (50% male; MAge = 43.4; MEducation = 14.1) clinically referred for neuropsychological assessment were analyzed. Criterion measures included the Warrington Recognition Memory Test-Words and 2 composites based on several independent validity indicators. An age-corrected scaled score ≤6 on any of the 4 trials reliably differentiated psychometrically defined credible and noncredible response sets with high specificity (.87-.94) and variable sensitivity (.34-.71). An inverted Stroop effect was less sensitive (.14-.29), but comparably specific (.85-90) to invalid performance. Aggregating the newly developed D-KEFS Stroop validity indicators further improved classification accuracy. Failing the validity cutoffs was unrelated to self-reported depression or anxiety. However, it was associated with elevated somatic symptom report. In addition to processing speed and executive function, the D-KEFS version of the Stroop task can function as a measure of performance validity. A multivariate approach to performance validity assessment is generally superior to univariate models. Public Significance Statement The Stroop test can function as a performance validity indicator by identifying unusual patterns of responding. Invalid performance was associated with higher levels of self-reported somatic symptoms.
ISSN:1040-3590
1939-134X
DOI:10.1037/pas0000525