Cluster Subtypes on the California Verbal Learning Test–Children's Version After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the presence of profile subtypes on the California Verbal Learning Test–Children's Version (CVLT–C; Delis, Kramer, Kaplan, & Ober, 1994) in 175 children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Four key z score variables are used in a 2-stage cluster analysis that reveal 4 reliable subtypes. No meaningful differences among the clusters are found on demographic variables. In contrast, statistically significant differences among the 4 clusters in both level and pattern of performance are found on injury severity parameters and the 4 factor index scores from an independent measure of psychometric intelligence (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Third Edition; Wechsler, 1991). This study concludes that although no unique profile is found on the CVLT–C after TBI in children, performance on this test is affected strongly by injury severity, with a mediating contribution by speed of information processing.