Validity Testing in Interpreter-Mediated, Cross-Cultural Forensic Assessments: Preliminary Findings on TOMM, MENT, M-FAST, and PCL-5 Indicators
摘要
This exploratory study examined the psychometric performances of widely used validity measures in interpreter-mediated, cross-cultural forensic contexts, a critical but underexplored area. The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), Morel Emotional Numbing Test (MENT), Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST), and embedded indices from the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were examined in this linguistically diverse forensic sample. Archival data from 59 consecutively evaluated claimants, assessed for posttraumatic stress disorder under the Defense Base Act, were analyzed. Assessments were conducted in native languages spanning Indo-European, Niger-Congo, and Dravidian language families, with certified interpreters using quality assurance procedures. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric group comparisons, and correlation analyses were used to explore test performances, demographic influences, and inter-test concordance. TOMM and MENT demonstrated strong internal consistency, high concordance, and minimal demographic effects. The M-FAST showed variable subscale performance and was influenced by geographic origin and language, suggesting potential cultural or linguistic effects. PCL-5 embedded validity indices exhibited strong internal consistency but a lower base rate of failure, raising questions about sensitivity. Concordance was highest within performance validity tests (77%) and symptom validity tests (71%), but weaker across domains. Performance validity measures appear robust in this interpreter-mediated, cross-cultural forensic sample, while symptom validity tests showed greater variability and potential cultural effects. Findings underscore the necessity of multimethod validity assessment and culturally informed interpretation to ensure defensible forensic evaluations. This study advances empirical understanding of validity testing in diverse populations and highlights the importance of adapting forensic assessment practices to global contexts.