Ruth A. Haak

Neuropsychological profiles of children with depressive and anxiety disorders

Abstract The neuropsychological functioning of 56 children and young adolescents with diagnoses of unipolar depression (n = 17), anxiety disorder (n = 19), or comorbid anxiety/depressive disorder (n = 20) was examined. The neuropsychological profiles of the three groups were parallel, but not equal in level of performance. The three groups displayed similar patterns of performance with profiles suggesting diminished attention abilities. The groups, however, were not equal in level of performance. While subjects with an anxiety or a depressive disorder were similar in level of performance, subjects with a comorbid anxiety/depressive disorder generally performed worse than those with either an anxiety or depressive disorder alone. There was no significant evidence of asymmetrical cerebral dysfunction in any of the diagnostic groups. Results are discussed in relation to adult models of psychopathology with an emphasis on the importance of considering developmental factors when formulating models of childhood...

Factor structure of the halstead-reitan neuropsychological test battery for older children

Abstract The underlying dimensions of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery for Older Children (HRNB-C) were examined for a large sample of school-referred children. First, a principal components analysis (PCA) of 17 HRNB-C subtests produced a seven-factor solution that accounted for 76% of the original variance. In the second phase, analysis of 31 scores from the HRNB-C, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R & WISC-III), and achievement tests produced a nine-factor solution accounting for 67% of the variance. Principal factor analyses (PFA) of these data were performed to permit comparison with the PCA solutions. The PFA and PCA solutions were similar and conclusions about factor structure were comparable. It is suggested that the use of factor/index scores may provide an additional approach to interpretation of the HRNB-C and guidelines for estimating factor scores are provided. Initial attempts at establishing construct validity are described, along with estimates of reliabilit...

Factor structure of the Reitan-Indiana neuropsychological battery for children

The Reitan-Indiana Neuropsychological Battery (RINB) was administered to a sample of children referred for educational and behavioral problems (N = 130). Subtest scores were standardized by age at 1-year intervals (6, 7, and 8 years). A principal components analysis (PCA) with promax rotation of 18 subtest scores produced a five-factor solution. Factor 1 emphasizes tactile/spatial functions, Factor 2 emphasizes concept formation and visual/spatial abilities, Factor 3 reflects motor strength, Factor 4 emphasizes sensory perception, and Factor 5 reflects motor speed. Principal factor analysis (PFA) of these data was performed to permit comparison with the PCA solutions. The PFA and PCA solutions were similar and major conclusions about factor structure were consis tent.

Factor analysis of the intermediate category test

This study examined the factor structure of the six subtests of the Intermediate Category Test in a heterogeneous sample of school-referred students, age 9 to 14 years. A three-factor solution emerged that accounted for approximately 72% of the total variance. This indicates that the test measures multiple underlying constructs in this school-referred sample. Clinical and educational interpretations may be enhanced by utilizing factor scores that reflect the multiple abilities assessed. Recommendations for developing factor/index scores are provided.

Reference group data for the Reitan-Indiana Neuropsychological Test Battery for Young Children.

This study presents a data set for a reference group on the Reitan-In-diana Neuropsychological Test Battery for Young Children. The data set is based on a sample of 224 children, ages 5 to 8 years, referred to a special services cooperative for academic or behavioral concerns during the years 1980 through 1993. Data are presented in terms of sample size, means, standard deviations, diagnostic classifications, and population characteristics. Previously published data sets are reviewed in comparison to this newly acquired data set. Potential advantages of this data set include the larger sample, contemporary data collection, and a sample drawn from a United States school-referred population.

Modal profiles for the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological battery for children

Modal Profile Analysis was used to cluster students (aged 9 to 14 years) on 16 subtest scores from the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery for Children (HRNB-C). This analysis produced eight modal profile types, all of which were replicated in multiple samples. An initial attempt to establish external validity indicated that the modal groups display dissimilar patterns of performance on independent variables. The present typology is compared to similar typologies developed with adult neuropsychological data. In sum, the current classification system provided less coverage than the adult typologies, but produced more unique or homogeneous modal groups. Discussion focuses on potential clinical and research uses of the modal HRNB-C profiles.

Treating Traumatic Brain Injury in the School

In the last few years, a proliferation of information has become available to the professionals who serve children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The scientific community, government-sponsored research and development centers, new professional activities, and new professional societies dealing with the education and credentialing of workers in these activities have all contributed a wealth of information. Numerous medical facilities have also sprung up to treat children with TBI and to offer their expertise to the growing field. Rarely has a field of endeavor in the human services grown so quickly as has the recent effort to deal more effectively with our brain-injured population.

USE OF THE LONG VS SHORT FORM OF THE SPEECH SOUNDS PERCEPTION TEST IN A SCHOOL-AGE POPULATION '

A sample of 645 school-age children, ages 9 to 14 years, were administered independent forms of the Speech Sounds Perception Test for older children. 328 subjects took the complete test (SSPT-60) and 317 were administered only the first 30 items (SSPT-30). Comparison of mean errors indicated that significantly more errors were made by subjects given the SSPT-30. Decisions regarding the use of each form for school-age children are discussed.

Internal Consistency of Three Tests from the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery for Older Children.

The internal consistency of three neuropsychological tests was examined in a sample of 334 referred children (9-14 years of age). Coefficient alpha was calculated to estimate reliability on the Seashore Rhythm Test (SRT), two forms of the Speech Sounds Perception Test (SSPT), and the Aphasia Screening Test (AST). The standard SSPT appears to have relatively good internal consistency with an average coefficient of .81. The average coefficient for the abbreviated form of the SSPT was considerably lower (i.e., .73), highlighting the superiority of the standard form in clinical practice. Internal consistency of the SRT was relatively low (i.e., .67). This level of reliability may be acceptable in group research and for component tests, but is marginal for independent clinical use. Coefficient alpha for the AST was moderate (i.e., .77), suggesting adequate reliability for a screening test. These reliability estimates are compared to those obtained in previous studies using these tests in adult samples and with other tests commonly used with children.