WISC-IV Factor Structures of Japanese Children with Borderline, or Deficient Intellectual Abilities: Testing Measurement Invariance Compared to Simulated Norm

Kohske Ogata

doi:10.4236/psych.2019.106050

Abstract

Factor analyses of intelligence tests have been conducted with diverse clinical populations. Factor structures of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-fourth Edition (WISC-IV) in children with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) and intellectual disability (ID) were compared to the Japanese norm by using a simulated group. Measurement invariance among simulated, borderline and disability groups was tested by multi-group analyses through structural equation modeling for manual-depended four-factor model. Results indicated that the metric invariance model was supported among the three groups. The correlation coefficients between the four index scores suggested that BIF could be partially explained as resulting from inhibiting and restraining effects among broad abilities when responding to each subtest of intelligence tests. This degrading effect might lower IQ in children having certain clinical problems. On the other hand, ID could be partially understood as a brain impairment consisting of unrelated and isolated activation of broad ability areas. It is concluded that there are differences in factor structures and mechanisms of BIF and ID.

Highlights

The correlation coefficients between the four index scores suggested that borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) could be partially explained as resulting from inhibiting and restraining effects among broad abilities when responding to each subtest of intelligence tests
The data were collected from child guidance centers on Japanese children 1) that had been administered the Japanese version of WISC-IV (Wechsler, 2003/2010), 2) with an IQ less than 85, and 3) without a diagnosed of a developmental disorder by a child psychiatrist
The results, indicated that the simulated group had a simulated validly similar to the Japanese norm population and could be used as a control group in structural equation modeling analyses using a correlation matrix

Summary

Introduction

Factor analytic studies have examined the structure of psychometric intelligence (Carroll, 1993) and among these, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. As a result by factor analytical evidence the fourth edition of the WISC (WISC-IV) has adopted four index scores and 15 subtests (Wechsler, 2003/2010), instead of discarding the traditional dual intelligence model. There are many reports on the factor structure of the WISC-IV. The manual-depended four-factor model including the Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI), Working Memory Index (WMI), and Processing Speed Index (PSI) has been examined and compared with alternative models within various single groups.

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