Prevalence of Malingering in Inpatient Suicide Ideators and Attempters

The prevalence of malingering by inpatients admitted to an urban hospital for suicidal ideation or attempt was studied. 4 of 40 patients indicated they had malingered & that external incentives had motivated them to feign either suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt. A psychiatrist & masters-level psychologist, blind to patient responses, rated each patient for suspicion of malingering. Both detected malingerers with 100% sensitivity but with specificity no better than chance. (37 refs.)