EXPLORATORY FACTOR-ANALYSIS OF THE WECHSLER ADULT INTELLIGENCE SCALE - REVISED IN A SAMPLE OF BRAIN-DAMAGED WOMEN

The first exploratory factor analysis of the WAIS-R using an exclusive ly female sample (N = 152) of brain-damaged patients was conducted. Me ans for age, education, and Full Scale IQ were 43.51 years (SD = 18.22 ), 12.60 years (SD = 2.47), and 86.34 (SD = 13.32). Results indicated that either a two- or three-factor model was plausible for this sample . The two-factor solution supported Wechsler's (1981) Verbal and Perfo rmance IQ designations,while the three-factor model revealed Verbal-Co mprehension (i.e., Information, Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Similar ities), Perceptual-Organization (i.e., all Performance subtests), and Freedom From Distractibility (i.e., Digit Span) factors. Comparison of the factor structures for the present sample with those of normal wom en and brain-damaged men suggested factorial equivalency across groups . (C) 1997 National Academy of Neuropsychology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.