A Meta-Analysis of the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST)

Author(s)

David B. Detullio, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Stephen C. Messer, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Tom D. Kennedy, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Danielle Horrigan Millen, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Psychological Assessment

ISSN

1939-134X

Publication Date

11-2019

Abstract

The Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST) is a screening instrument created to assess for potential malingering. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the extent to which the M-FAST total score can differentiate overreporters from comparison groups. Research reports were located through searching databases (e.g., PsycINFO) and the M-FAST published manual. A random-effects model was used with Hedges' g as the effect size to represent the difference between the overreporting and comparison groups' M-FAST total scores. Twenty-one research reports were included in the meta-analysis, providing 25 effect sizes with nonoverlapping samples. A very large effect size was observed (g = 2.26, 95% CI [1.91, 2.62]), indicating a substantial difference on the M-FAST total score between the two groups. Moderator analyses were conducted to identify characteristics that might explain effect size variability. A significant difference was found between effect sizes that were part of the M-FAST development (g = 3.82, 95% CI [2.82, 4.82]) and effect sizes independent from its development (g = 2.03, 95% CI [1.70, 2.36]). Using 12 research reports, random-effects analyses found an average sensitivity of 0.83 and average specificity of 0.85 for the M-FAST total score at the cut-off of ≥ 6. Based on the findings, research performed independently from the M-FAST development should be consulted when evaluating the validity of the total score interpretations. Because it is a screening instrument, an examinee should not be classified as malingering from the results of the M-FAST total score alone. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000753

Volume

31

Issue

11

First Page

1319

Last Page

1328

NSUWorks Citation

Detullio, D. B., Messer, S. C., Kennedy, T. D., Millen, D. H. (2019). A Meta-Analysis of the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST). Psychological Assessment, 31(11), 1319-1328.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/1781