Further insights on the French WISC-IV factor structure through Bayesian structural equation modeling

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_763D9012E851
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Further insights on the French WISC-IV factor structure through Bayesian structural equation modeling
Journal
Psychological Assessment
Author(s)
Golay P., Reverte I., Rossier J., Favez N., Lecerf T.
ISSN
1040-3590
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
25
Number
2
Pages
496-508
Language
english
Abstract
The interpretation of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) is based on a 4-factor model, which is only partially compatible with the mainstream Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) model of intelligence measurement. The structure of cognitive batteries is frequently analyzed via exploratory factor analysis and/or confirmatory factor analysis. With classical confirmatory factor analysis, almost all crossloadings between latent variables and measures are fixed to zero in order to allow the model to be identified. However, inappropriate zero cross-loadings can contribute to poor model fit, distorted factors, and biased factor correlations; most important, they do not necessarily faithfully reflect theory. To deal with these methodological and theoretical limitations, we used a new statistical approach, Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM), among a sample of 249 French-speaking Swiss children (8-12 years). With BSEM, zero-fixed cross-loadings between latent variables and measures are replaced by approximate zeros, based on informative, small-variance priors. Results indicated that a direct hierarchical CHC-based model with 5 factors plus a general intelligence factor better represented the structure of the WISC-IV than did the 4-factor structure and the higher order models. Because a direct hierarchical CHC model was more adequate, it was concluded that the general factor should be considered as a breadth rather than a superordinate factor. Because it was possible for us to estimate the influence of each of the latent variables on the 15 subtest scores, BSEM allowed improvement of the understanding of the structure of intelligence tests and the clinical interpretation of the subtest scores.
Keywords
WISC-IV, Bayesian structural equation modeling, direct hierarchical model, CHC theory
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
23/09/2013 11:29
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:33
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