Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination (2015) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Summary
Summary
Pages 1-14
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 1... ...
SSA disability determinations are based on the medical evidence and all evidence considered relevant by the examiners in an applicant's case record. Physical or mental impairments must be established by objective medical evidence consisting of medical signs and laboratory findings, which may include psychological tests and other standardized test results.
|
From page 2... ...
The inclusion of validity testing in the test or test battery allows for greater confidence in the test results. Standardized psychological tests that are appropriately administered and interpreted can be considered objective evidence.
|
From page 3... ...
Similarly, symptom validity tests do not measure non-cognitive status but are used to examine whether a person is providing an accurate report of his or her actual symptom experience. Because cognitive tests frequently are performance based and non-cognitive measures generally involve self-report, performance validity tests and symptom validity tests are shown as being associated with these types of tests.
|
From page 4... ...
. In carrying out this task, the Committee on Psychological Testing, Including Validity Testing, for Social Security Administration Disability Determinations was asked to address several specific topics, including testing norms, the administration of relevant tests and the qualifications for administering them, the interpretation and reporting of test results, and economic considerations.
|
From page 5... ...
representatives about the SSA disability determination process and its current policies surrounding the use of psychological and validity testing. The committee commissioned two papers to provide additional critical analysis in areas relevant to the committee's work.
|
From page 6... ...
Although there currently are no data on the rates of false positives and false negatives in SSA disability determinations, systematic use of standardized psychological testing for a broader set of physical and mental impairments than is current practice is expected to improve the accuracy and consistency of disability determinations for applicants who allege cognitive impairment or whose allegation of functional impairment is based solely on self-report. The results of standardized cognitive and non-cognitive psychological tests that are appropriately administered, interpreted, and validated can provide objective evidence to help identify and document the presence and severity of medically determinable mental impairments at Step 2 of SSA's disability determination process.
|
From page 7... ...
. • The presence and severity of impairment and associated functional limitations are based largely on applicant self-report. • Objective medical evidence or longitudinal medical records suf ficient to make a disability determination do not accompany the claim.
|
From page 8... ...
. By longitudinal medical records the committee means a documented history of a significant mental disorder or a chronic condition such as chronic idiopathic pain or multisystem illness and related functional impairment of sufficient severity and duration to make a disability determination.
|
From page 9... ...
Evidence of invalid performance based on PVT results pertains only to the cognitive test results obtained and does not provide information about whether or not the individual is, in fact, disabled. A lack of validity on performance validity testing alone is insufficient grounds for denying a disability claim.
|
From page 10... ...
It is important that any person administering cognitive or neuropsychological tests be well trained in the administration protocols for those particular tests, possess the interpersonal skills necessary to build rapport with the test-taker, and understand important psychometric properties, including validity and reliability, as well as factors that could emerge during testing to place either at risk. Interpretation of standardized psychological test results is more than a report of the standardized test scores; it requires assigning meaning to the scores within the individual context of the specific examinee.
|
From page 11... ...
Evaluation and Research Based on its examination of the literature and dialogues with experts in a variety of areas, including psychological and neuropsychological testing, performance validity testing and symptom validity testing, and the disability evaluation process both within SSA and in other arenas, the committee recognizes many questions remain with regard to the use of standardized psychological testing in the disability determination process. As part of its assessment of the use of standardized psychological tests for the disability evaluation process, the committee was asked to discuss the costs and cost-effectiveness of requiring a single test or a combination of tests.
|
From page 12... ...
Although it is not possible to know definitively whether the large share of unexplained variation in state filing, award, and allowance rates is driven by variability in the federal disability determination process, there is some evidence that states differ in how they manage claims. • In light of this unexplained variability, systematic use of standard ized psychological testing as recommended by the committee is expected to improve the accuracy and consistency of disability determinations.
|
From page 13... ...
• The committee's task was to evaluate the usefulness of psychologi cal testing in the disability determination process, as reflected in the foregoing recommendations. However, the committee recognizes that just as systematic use of standardized psychological testing is expected to improve the accuracy and consistency of disability determinations for applicants who allege cognitive impairment or whose allegation of functional impairment is based solely on self report, the use of other standardized assessment tools also may be expected to improve the accuracy of disability determinations.
|
From page 14... ...
14 Psychological Testing • The effects of standardized psychological testing on the accuracy and consistency of disability determinations; • The use of PVTs and SVTs with disability applicants; and • The use of psychological tests, including PVTs and SVTs, in differ ent populations with regard to fairness for members of all gender, ethnic, racial, language, educational levels, and other protected groups.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.