Malingering

Malingering is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition as the intentional fabrication or gross exaggeration of psychological or physical symptoms, with the key criteria of being motivated by some external gains. In the context of an offender population, these motivations may include (a) delaying or reducing the length of incarceration, (b) being prescribed unnecessary medication, or (c) receiving unwarranted benefits (e.g., compensation for a feigned disability). As a response style, malingering is categorized as a condition that may be a focus of clinical attention rather than as a formal diagnosis with explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria. Within the psychological and medical fields, malingering and other forms of deception represent a highly relevant clinical issue for accurate assessment and effective ...