FACTOR STRUCTURE OF THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE WAIS-R FOR CHINESE ADULTS IN THE LOWEST PERCENTILES OF IQ

The Chinese version of the WAIS-R was factor analyzed for a sample of 130 Chinese adults in Hong Kong who had low intellectual abilities. Al l subtests except the Vocabulary subtest were included for analyses. R esults supported a three-factor solution composed of Verbal Comprehens ion, Perceptual Organization, and Memory/Freedom from Distractibility Factors, as well as a two-factor solution of classic Verbal-Perceptual dichotomy. Comparison of present two- and three-factor structure with individuals having low or normal IQ in Mainland China and North Ameri ca revealed satisfactory congruence coefficients. However, our general factor accounted for only a small portion of common and total varianc e (28.5% and 35.3% respectively). Error variances of our subtests were large when compared to normative samples of Mainland China and US. Re sults were discussed in terms of clinical interpretation of the WAIS-R subtests, danger of using short-forms to assess IQ and need for norma tive studies of WAIS-R in Chinese-speaking countries. (C) 1996 John Wi ley & Sons, Inc.