Gender differences and changes in cognitive abilities across the adult life span

Gender differences in the covariance structure and latent means of cognitiv e abilities across the adult life span are explored. A multiply marked, six -factor measurement model examining 982, participants from the Seattle Long itudinal Study tested gender and longitudinal invariance over 7 years. Subs tantive invariance tests on the factor correlations were also examined. Lon gitudinal results for the entire sample indicated the best fit was a partia l invariance solution supporting time and gender invariance. Individual ana lyses showed younger and middle age groups to be metrically invariant for a ll factor loadings as well as time and gender invariance of factor variance s and intercorrelations. A metric model also fit best for the older group, although factor variances and intercorrelations only demonstrated gender in variance. Latent mean structures revealed gender differences with women out performing men for Verbal Recall, and in younger and middle age groups Perc eptual Speed, whereas men consistently outperformed women for Spatial Orien tation. Results demonstrate gender equivalence in covariance structures acr oss the adult life span and within separate age groups, and reveal gender d ifferences and changes over 7 years in cognitive abilities at the latent me an level.