What is the primary motivation behind malingering?

The primary motivation behind malingering is indeed to receive external rewards. Malingering is characterized by the intentional production of false or exaggerated symptoms for a specific external gain, which can include financial compensation, avoidance of responsibilities such as work or legal obligations, or even to achieve a more favorable social status. Individuals who malinger consciously engage in these behaviors because they expect to benefit from them materially or socially.

This distinguishes malingering from other forms of illness, as individuals displaying genuine psychological disorders are not motivated by external rewards but rather suffer from internal distress or dysfunction. Understanding this motivation is crucial in differentiating malingering from other diagnoses in the DSM-5, such as factitious disorders, where the individual’s motivations are more focused on the maintenance of a sick role rather than tangible benefits.

In this context, other options do not align as directly with the primary motivator for malingering. While avoiding work might be a tactic employed by someone who is malingering, it is not the underlying driving reason. Similarly, gaining attention from healthcare providers or experiencing emotional relief relates more to other psychological conditions and may introduce elements of behavior that are not centered purely on external gains.