Sex differences in latent general and broad cognitive abilities for children and youth: Evidence from higher-order MG-MACS and MIMIC models

Abstract

Sex differences in the latent general and broad abilities underlying the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children—Second Edition (KABC-II) were investigated for children and youth ages 6 through 18. The data were split into different age groups to account for changes due to differential development. Multi-group higher-order analysis of mean and covariance structures (MG-MACS) and multiple indicator-multiple cause (MIMIC) models were used to analyze these data. Boys consistently demonstrated a significant mean advantage on the latent visual–spatial ability (Gv) factor. A significant mean advantage was also found for boys on the latent crystallized ability (Gc) factor at all ages except for 17 and 18. Girls scored higher on the latent, higher-order g factor, at all ages, although this difference was statistically significant at only two age levels. An additional test, however, did not reveal a significant Age × Sex interaction effect, suggesting only main effects of Sex on Gv, Gc, and g.