Demographically-adjusted norms for the WAIS-R Block Design and Arithmetic subtests: Results from the Neuropsychological Norms for the US-Mexico Border Region in Spanish (NP-NUMBRS) project. Issue 2 (6th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scott, Travis M.; Morlett Paredes, Alejandra; Taylor, Michael J.; Umlauf, Anya; Artiola i Fortuny, Lidia; Heaton, Robert K.; Cherner, Mariana; Marquine, María J.; Rivera Mindt, Monica
• Is Part Of: Clinical neuropsychologist. Volume 35:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 419
• Page End: 432
• Publication Date: 2021-02-06
• Subjects: WAIS subtests -- normative data -- Spanish-speaking -- cross-cultural assessment; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; 612.805
• DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2019.1707285
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1385-4046

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) Block Design and Arithmetic subtests are frequently used as measures of visuospatial construction and verbal working memory, respectively. As part of a larger test adaptation and norming effort for this population, we generated and investigated demographically-adjusted interpretive norms for WAIS-R Block Design and Arithmetic in Spanish-speaking adults living in the US-Mexico border region. Method: Participants included 183 community-dwelling adults ages 20-55 (education range: 0–20 years; 58% women) from the NeuroPsychological-Norms for the US-Mexico Border Region in Spanish (NP-NUMBRS) Project. They completed the WAIS-R Block Design and Arithmetic subtests in Spanish. Demographically-adjusted T-scores were calculated for these subtests using fractional polynomial equations adjusting for linear and non-linear effects of age, education (continuous), and sex. We compared our rates of impairment (i.e. T < 40) against rates calculated using published English-speaking WAIS-R standardization sample norms adjusted for age, education, and sex. Results: Education was positively associated with performance on Block Design and Arithmetic subtests, and men outperformed women on both subtests. The present Spanish-speaker norms for these subtests yielded expected rates of "impairment" (i.e. 15–16% impaired, a 1 SD cutoff), while existing norms for English-speakers underestimated impairment (i.e. 5–6% impaired) when applied to our Spanish-speaking sample. Conclusions: Regional normative data will improve interpretation of test performance on Block Design and Arithmetic subtests for Spanish-speakers living in the US-Mexico border region and may aid in bolstering the overall analysis of neuropsychological profile patterns in this population. Cross-validation with Spanish-speakers in other regions and/or with other national origins is needed.