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Life Assessment (LAQ-2)
The Life Assessment Questionnaire (LAQ-2) was designed to help clinicians better understand the accuracy and honesty of symptoms reported by patients complaining of chronic pain and disability. The majority of the LAQ-2 requires patients to indicate if they are experiencing various psychological and physical symptoms. They are queried about symptom complaints across all major bodily systems. Patients are also asked questions measuring a variety of beliefs such as cynicism and general health.
The results of the LAQ-2 should be considered as a source of hypotheses regarding the veracity of the patient's self-report of symptoms. No decisions about treatment or diagnoses should be made solely on the results of the LAQ-2.
Population
The LAQ-2 is used with patients reporting a primary complaint of persistent, nonmalignant pain. (e.g., chronic lumbar or whiplash pain). Patients must be able to read and understand English at the 7th to 8th grade reading level. Patients also need to be cognitively intact, have sufficient stamina and concentration, and capable of making simple pencil marks.
Purpose
The LAQ-2 was designed to help clinicians determine the likelihood of feigning and malingering in patients reporting chronic pain.
Level III Requirements
The LAQ-2 is a well-validated instrument for determining the likelihood of feigning and malingering in the chronic pain population. The majority of the LAQ-2 requires patients to indicate if they are experiencing various psychological and physical symptoms. They are queried about symptom complaints across all major bodily systems. Patients are also asked questions measuring a variety of beliefs such as perceived suffering, cynicism, and general health. A chronic pain reference group (i.e., Clinical Reference Group) is used for base rate comparisons. The LAQ-2 is self-report. Administration time is approximately 40 minutes.