Correlates of performance on the Child and Adolescent Memory Profile (ChAMP) in a mixed pediatric sample

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine some of the factors that influence performance on a comprehensive test of verbal and visual memory in children, the Child and Adolescent Memory Profile (ChAMP) in a mixed clinical sample (n = 178; 56% male, 67% White, median age 12 years). We used hierarchical linear regression analyses with ChAMP standard scores as the dependent variable, and parental education as well as Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition (WISC–V) factor index scores as the independent variables. WISC–V Processing Speed and (to a lesser extent) Working Memory were statistically significant predictors of most ChAMP Index scores. In addition, WISC–V Verbal Comprehension contributed to the model for ChAMP Verbal Memory, and WISC–V Visual Spatial to the model for ChAMP Visual Memory. In each case better performance on the WISC–V was predictive of higher scores on the ChAMP, with large effect sizes. WISC–V variables also mediated the positive effect of parental education on ChAMP scores. We conclude that clinicians should consider performance on measures of speed of processing, working memory, language and visual-spatial skills as potential influences on ChAMP results that may suggest a specific memory deficit.