What does malingering refer to?

Malingering specifically refers to the intentional production or exaggeration of physical or psychological symptoms with the motive of achieving a specific personal gain, such as avoiding work, obtaining financial compensation, or receiving drugs. This behavior is distinct from genuine medical or psychological conditions because it involves a conscious deception.

While excessive worry about health could lead to behaviors that mimic illness, it does not involve the deliberate falsification of symptoms for personal gain. An involuntary response to stress points to conditions that one cannot control, such as anxiety or other stress-related disorders, which do not align with the concept of malingering. Similarly, a chronic illness characterized by psychological symptoms focuses on actual medical conditions that the individual is not intentionally fabricating. Therefore, the definition of malingering clearly centers on the aspect of intentionality for personal benefit, which aligns with the correct answer.