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. 2022 Feb 14;30(3):229-248.
doi: 10.1080/13218719.2021.2006097. eCollection 2023.

Assessment of self-report response bias in high functioning autistic people

Marilyn A Sher  1   2 , Caroline Oliver  1
Affiliations

Assessment of self-report response bias in high functioning autistic people

Marilyn A Sher et al. Psychiatr Psychol Law. .

Abstract

The study aimed to establish a normative data set for the Paulhus Deception Scales (PDS) and Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomology (SIMS) in a community adult sample of high functioning autistic (HFA) people. Assessments were administered anonymously online. Seventy surveys were completed, with respondents contributing from 16 countries. The majority of subscales and total scores for the PDS and SIMS fell above cut-off for self-report response bias, suggesting that completion of these measures by HFA individuals may lead to conclusions of intentional response distortion, even when this is not the case. Significant relationships were found between high scores and education level, as well as psychological distress. The findings of the study raise concerns about the use of these measures with HFA people, particularly in 'high stakes' situations.

Keywords: high functioning autism; impression management; malingering; response bias; socially desirable responding.

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Conflict of interest statement

Marilyn A. Sher has declared no conflicts of interest Caroline Oliver has declared no conflicts of interest The authors did not receive any financial support from any organisation for the submitted work. The first author was a student at the University of Birmingham, and the study was undertaken as part of a practitioner doctorate. The second author works for the University of Birmingham and is the course director. The second author supervised the study as part of the doctorate. All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organisation or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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