Stability of the WAIS-R and WISC-III factor structure using cross-validation of covariance structures

Area of Science:

• Psychometrics
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• The Wechsler scales (WAIS-R, WISC-III) are widely used to assess intelligence.
• Understanding the stability of their factor structures across age is crucial for accurate interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the stability of the Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Organization, and Freedom from Distractibility factors of the WAIS-R and WISC-III.
• To determine if the factor structure remains consistent across different age groups.

Main Methods:

• Cross-validation of covariance structure models.
• Employed unrestricted and restricted factor analyses to assess model fit.
• Evaluated goodness of fit changes when models were applied to different age cohorts.

Main Results:

• Goodness of fit did not degrade when restricted models were applied to other age groups.
• Consistency was observed across all age groups studied.
• The factor structure demonstrated robustness and reliability.

Conclusions:

• The three-factor structure of the WAIS-R and WISC-III is robust and reliable across age groups.
• This stability supports the consistent measurement of intellectual abilities.
• No systematic changes suggesting true intellectual shifts were detected across age.