Defensive or Deceptive? Two Strategies for Detecting Concealed Psychopathology With the Personality Assessment Inventory

Abstract

The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) is frequently employed in selection contexts to screen for psychopathology. Although the PAI has several validity scales that effectively measure positive response distortion, the ability of these scales to detect concealed psychopathology has not been fully evaluated. Using data from a previous study and a new sample of 203 undergraduate students, the current study examined whether scores on the Positive Impression Management (PIM), Defensiveness Index (DEF), and Cashel Discriminant Function (CDF) observed under job applicant role-play instructions could detect reports of psychopathology observed under standard instructions. The data from the new sample of students were also used to evaluate the convergent and discriminant validity of PIM-predicted deviation scores from role-play to predict corresponding scores from the standard administration, as originally reported in Kurtz et al. PIM scores from role-play correlated negatively, and CDF from role-play correlated positively, with elevated scores in the standard condition. PIM-predicted deviation scores from role-play showed convergent and discriminant validity with scores from standard administration. Several recommendations are offered based on these results for the effective use of the PAI in assessment contexts with strong incentives for defensiveness and concealment of symptoms and problems.