Multi-Dimensional Approach for Assessing Reliability of Individuals Claiming Combat PTSD Compensations: A Preliminary Study

The diagnosis of PTSD is prone to over-reporting and malingering. There is no single sensitive and specific test procedure that can detect over-reporting in PTSD, and a comprehensive assessment is recommended. In the present study, we propose an algorithm that combines a clinical dimension (PCL-5 and CAPS-5) and credibility-focused tests (SIMS and computerized neurocognitive tests) to identify over-reporters, and classify them into five categories (reliable, probably reliable, possibly unreliable, probably unreliable, unreliable). The algorithm was tested on a sample of 115 soldiers who were at various stages of a disability/compensation application. Eighty-three were found by the algorithm to be reliable (reliable/probably reliable) and 32 were found to be unreliable (possibly unreliable/probably unreliable/unreliable). The significance and limitations of this preliminary study are discussed.