Stability of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised factor scores across time.

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the stability of WAIS-R factor scores across time. Information provided in the manual (Wechsler, 1981) on two subsets of the standardization data were used to estimate sample stability in Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Organization, and Memory/Freedom from Distractibility scores. For both samples, and across all factors, estimated test-retest correlations were high. In addition, test-retest scores of 39 individuals with IQs < 80 and 17 subjects with heterogeneous IQ scores were examined. For both the latter samples, correlations between first and second administration scores were high. Furthermore, on second administration relatively few cases scored beyond 1.96 standard errors of prediction of the first assessment "predicted true score" (i.e., variations in all cases, but these could be attributed to measurement error). Clinically, this suggests that predictive, factor-based profile interpretation is possible. From a theoretical perspective, it provides evidence of stable ability factors.Because of its relevance to structural theories of intelligence (Hill, Reddon, & Jackson, 1985), and its importance in clinical practice (Kaufman, 1979), the factor structure of Wechsler's intelligence scales has proven intriguing to investigators. Thus, the factor structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R; Wechsler, 1981) has been studied from several perspectives. Analyses of the standardization data have extracted a one-factor solution (

Mayo's Older Americans Normative Studies (MOANS): Factor structure of a core battery.

“…The actual means and standard deviations observed in our MOANS sample for each factor were Factor, 1, M = 47.3, SD = 10.8; Factor 2, M = 60.4, SD = 16.9; Factor 3, M = 54.5, SD = 10.5; Factor 4, M = 56.9, SD = 9.2; Factor 5, M = 53.1, SD = 9.1. Atkinson et al (1990) have shown that WAIS-R factor scores are stable and argued that interpretation of this instrument based on factor scores is justified. The MOANS factor scores are provided here so that factor-based profile analysis can be applied to the WAIS-R, WMS-R, and AVLT used in combination to evaluate older people…”

Neurodevelopmental Biology Associated with Childhood Sexual Abuse

“…Consistent with these findings, a growing body of literature has documented the adverse effects of early exposure to extreme stress on children’s neurocognitive development, including intellectual impairment, verbal deficiencies, and poor school performance. While most studies report temporal stability of intelligence in various pediatric populations including handicapped children (Atkinson et al, 1990; Elliot & Boeve, 1987), a literature review suggests that intellectual ability, as reflected by low IQ scores, may be a consequence of child abuse. A variety of intellectual and academic impairments, with resultant poor school performance (NationalResearchCouncil, 1993; Trickett & McBride-Chang, 1995), have been consistently reported in abused children not evaluated for PTSD (Augoustinos, 1987; Azar, Barnes, & Twentyman, 1988; Kolko, 1992; NationalResearchCouncil, 1993; Trickett & McBride-Chang, 1995).…”

Developmental traumatology: The psychobiological development of maltreated children and its implications for research, treatment, and policy

“…The sixth assumption is these changes PTSD suggested that PTSD symptoms are common within the 1st month of a trauma and in biological stress systems cause psychiatric symptoms, particularly symptoms of PTSD. that these symptoms may be a normal response to severe stress, as these symptoms Therefore, lack of PTSD symptoms after experiencing a severe stressor will be associated usually fade within 3 months (Blank, 1993).…”