Multivariate Base Rates of Low Scores on Tests of Executive Functions in a Multi-Country Latin American Sample

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of low scores in a diverse Latin American population for two neuropsychological commonly used tests to evaluate executive functions and to compare the number of low scores obtained using normative data from a Spanish-speaking population from Latin America versus an English-speaking population from U.S.A. Healthy adults (N = 5402) were administered the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and Stroop Color-Word. Low scores on measures of executive functioning are common. Clinicians working with Spanish-speaking adults should take into account the higher probability of low scores on these measures to reduce false-positive diagnoses of cognitive deficits in an individual.

Disclosure statement

Dr. Brooks reports the following conflicts of interest: co-author of the Child and Adolescent Memory Profile (ChAMP, Sherman and Brooks, 2015, PAR Inc.), Memory Validity Profile (MVP; Sherman and Brooks, 2015, PAR Inc.), and Multidimensional Everyday Memory Ratings for Youth (MEMRY, Sherman and Brooks, 2015, PAR Inc.), and he receives royalties for the sales of these tests; co-editor of the Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology textbook (2012, Oxford University Press) and receives royalties for the sales of this book; previously been provided with free test credits from CNS Vital Signs as an in-kind support for his research.