Factor structure of the Wechsler Memory Scale in an older adult population

Performed a factor analysis on the results of the WMS for 99 male Ss to determine whether normally aging older adults performed in the same manner as combined neurological and psychiatric patient or nonpatient younger populations. Average MQ for this group (average age 63 years) was 123. Even though the overall score did not indicate deficits with age, the factor structure in this group was almost identical to those structures determined by previous research in the patient populations and not similar to a nonpatient younger population previously reported. This seems to indicate that the manner of functioning in later life becomes deficient in quality rather than in quantitative performance.