Detecting malingered pain-related disability with the pain catastrophizing scale: a criterion groups validation study

AbstractObjective: Intentional exaggeration of symptoms is a potential problem in contexts where there are financial incentives to appear disabled. Therefore, calibration of tools to accurately evaluate malingering in these contexts is important. The present study used a criterion groups validation design to determine the ability of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) to detect Malingered Pain-Related Disability (MPRD).Method: Individuals meeting inclusionary/exclusionary criteria were selected for this study (n = 219) from a larger dataset of chronic pain patients referred for a psychological evaluation. Patients were classified into malingering groups using the Bianchini, Greve, and Glynn classification system for MPRD. PCS T scores were compared in patients who met MPRD criteria and those who showed no indication of malingering on multiple validity tests.Results: No group differences were observed regarding medicolegal and injury characteristics. Group analyses showed that the Not MPRD group had a sig...