Jurnal Psikologi
Vol 24, No 2 (2025): Oktober 2025

Evaluating PVTs diagnostic accuracy through simulation study in Indonesian older adults

Yanuar, Alfo (Unknown)
Adhiatma, Widhi (Unknown)
Hendriks, Marc P. H. (Unknown)
Halim, Magdalena Surjaningsih (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: The accurate assessment of cognitive ability requires valid data, particularly among older adults. Non-credible performance, or symptom exaggeration, threatens the validity of neuropsychological assessments in Indonesia. Purpose: This study aims to examine the diagnostic accuracy of four Performance Validity Tests (PVTs) by comparing healthy older adults and individuals simulating cognitive impairment. Method: An experimental two-group design was used (N=25). Participants passed rigorous cognitive screening (MoCA > 26) and were randomly assigned to a control (n=12) or experimental (n=13) group. PVTs included NV-MSVT, TMJPI, CIHT, and embedded TMT measures. Findings: Mann-Whitney U tests showed significant differences (p< .05) between groups, with controls outperforming simulators. ROC analysis yielded optimal cut-off scores for all PVTs: NV-MSVT A1 (≤ 83), NV-MSVT A2 (≤ 79), TMJPI (≤ 87), CIHT (≤ 9), TMT-A (≥ 131), and TMT-B (≥ 200). AUC values ranged from .713 to .907, indicating good to excellent accuracy in distinguishing the groups. Implication: These findings establish a robust empirical foundation for more ethical and valid neuropsychological research in Indonesia, providing culturally relevant cut-offs to mitigate misdiagnosis in clinical practice, advance cross-cultural neuropsychology in Asia, and strengthen administrative and forensic decision-making.

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