Structural Validity of the Dutch-Language Version of the WAIS-III in a Psychiatric Sample

Abstract

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV; Wechsler, 2008 ) no longer provides the "traditional" Verbal IQ and Performance IQ deviation scores. In the current study, we investigated the structural validity of these scores in the scale's predecessor, the WAIS-Third Edition (WAIS-III; Wechsler, 1997c ), which is still widely used in clinical practice, especially outside the United States. Confirmative (CFA) and exploratory factor analyses (EFA) were performed on WAIS-III data from a Dutch sample of 247 psychiatric patients. Four competing models were tested in the CFA on 11 subtests. The model that fit the data best was a model in which subtests loaded on the four factor indexes (i.e., 3 Verbal Comprehension subtests, 3 Perceptual Organization subtests, 3 Working Memory subtests, and 2 Processing Speed subtests) as proposed by the manual (Wechsler, 1997b ). In the EFA on 13 subtests with four factors extracted, all subtests were found to load on the factors in accordance with the WAIS-III test manual. However, Picture Arrangement, Arithmetic, and Picture Completion showed only moderate loadings on the proposed factors. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Self-awareness of cognitive dysfunction: Self-reported complaints and cognitive performance in patients with alcohol-induced mild or major neurocognitive disorder

“…The Processing Speed Index (PSI) consists of the subtests Digit Symbol Coding and Symbol Search. The WAIS-III indexes are valuable in assessing cognitive impairment (Van der Heijden et al, 2012). Especially the PSI has proven to be sensitive in detecting acquired brain damage (Martin et al, 2000).…”

Development and Reliability of the Indonesian Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)

“…Internationally, the WBIS has been extended and modified several times to WAIS, WAIS-R, WAIS-III, and the recently published WAIS-IV (Wechsler, 2008a(Wechsler, , 2008b. Adaptations from the original US versions of these tests have been published in many countries, such as the Netherlands (see Van der Heijden, Van den Bos, Mol, & Kessels, 2013), Japan (see Murayama, Iseki, Tagaya, Ota, Kanasuki, Fujishiro, Arai, & Sato, 2013), Finland (see Roivainen, 2013), France (see Lecerf, Golay, & Reverte, 2012), South Africa (see Grieve & Van Eeden, 2010), Canada (see Lange, 2007), Spain (see Melendez, 1994), and China (see Lynn & Dai, 1993). In the latest WAIS-IV items and subtests have been substantially revised, new subtests have been added and norms have been updated to take cohort effects into account (Wechsler, 2008b).…”

The impact of depression and anxiety treatment on biological aging and metabolic stress: study protocol of the Mood treatment with antidepressants or running (MOTAR) study

“…Personality and cognitive vulnerability traits will be measured using the NEO-FFI questionnaire [90], personal mastery questionnaire [91], the Leids-R questionnaire [92], and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) [93]. The Implicit association test (IAT) [94] will be used as experimental cognitive emotional task and the Digit Span (WAIS) [95] as an experimental memory task to assess working memory. Personal history contains assessment of important negative life events with the Brugha questionnaire [96], childhood trauma with the childhood trauma questionnaire [97], and family history of psychiatric disorders will be gathered by specific questions.…”