A-174 Measurement invariance reveals Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) Token Motor subtest differs in U.S.-based black and white samples

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) is widely used to assess cognition in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SZ). However, norms were developed using a sample of 85% white and 15% black participants. Validation of the BACS across cultures have yielded mixed results suggesting that subtests may function differently. Measurement invariance can be used to assess item consistency across groups. The present study examined the measurement invariance of six BACS subtests using models with increasing constraints across 2 different U.S.-based cultural groups (i.e., black and white). Methods: Participants were 429 black and 475 white individuals diagnosed with SZ from the Bipolar Schizophrenia Network for Intermediate Phenotypes consortium. Results: The Comparative Fit Index (CFI) was used to assess model fit. A change in CFI between models of increasing constraint (i.e., </= 0.01) is acceptable (Cheung & Rensvold, 2002). Baseline configural invariance (CFI=.983) was achieved. The CFI of the weak model (CFI=.967) exceeded the cut-off difference suggesting subtests do not achieve weak invariance. Partial invariance tests revealed that the Token Motor subtest was not equivalent across groups, leading to a 5-subtest partial weak invariance model. Conclusions: With the exception of the Token Motor subtest, findings suggest that subtests function similarly across these two racial groups. The Token Motor subtest has both the lowest internal consistancy and factor loadings on the BACS and has been removed from the BACS composite score. Future research should examine the utility of the Token Motor test across clinical and cultural groups.