FEIGNING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 2
Appendix
Online Supplemental Material
Exaggerate PTSD Instructions:
We are conducting research on the MMPI-2 and would like you to take the test again. We would like you to answer the questions on the MMPI-2 in a way that is different from the regular instructions. Rather than answering the items as honestly as possible, we’d like you to try to fool the test by pretending that you are having more problems than you actually do and that the problems you do have are more severe than they actually are. Specifically, we would like you to convince the test that you have PTSD. However, you must not give yourself away. In other words, you should try to fool the test and avoid being caught. It may be helpful for you to imagine that the MMPI-2 will be the only piece of information used to determine if you receive compensation for PTSD. However, if someone suspects you have fooled the test, you will not be given those benefits. You have to seem as if you have PTSD on the MMPI-2, but at the same time not be discovered fooling the test.
Individuals who follow the instructions and fool the test will have a 25% chance of winning a bonus of $25.00. So it is important for you to try as hard as you can to fool the test. The results of this test will be used only for research and will not be used in any decisions regarding your claim or your care. Your responses will not be shown to anyone in the Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Veteran’s Benefits Administration (VBA), or the Adjudication Board. Also the results will not in any way affect the current or future care you receive through the Minneapolis VA Medical Center or any other facility.
Honest Instructions:
We are conducting research on the MMPI-2 and would like you to take the test again. It is important for you to be as open and honest as you possibly can, only saying true to those questions that really fit and responding false only to those questions that are not currently true for you. Individuals who are accurate and honest in their answers will be eligible to receive a $25.00 bonus. It is important for you to try as hard as possible to be honest and open about yourself so you can have a chance at winning the $25.00 bonus. The results of the test are used only for research purposes and will not be used in any decisions regarding your care. Your responses will not be shown to anyone and will not in any way affect the current or future care you will receive at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center or the outcome of your claim.