Reliability and Validity of the Spanish Language Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (3rd Edition) in a Sample of American, Urban, Spanish-Speaking Hispanics

Abstract

The utility of the Spanish WAIS-III was investigated by examining its reliability and validity among 100 Spanish-speaking participants. Results indicated that the internal consistency of the subtests was satisfactory, but inadequate for Letter Number Sequencing. Criterion validity was adequate. Convergent and discriminant validity results were generally similar to the North American normative sample. Paired sample t-tests suggested that the WAIS-III may underestimate ability when compared to the criterion measures that were utilized to assess validity. This study provides support for the use of the Spanish WAIS-III in urban Hispanic populations, but also suggests that caution be used when administering specific subtests, due to the nature of the Latin America alphabet and potential test bias.

Notes

Standard scores have a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15.

Scaled scores have a mean of 10 and standard deviation of 3.

All tests were scored using normative data created for use with monolingual Spanish speakers.

*p < .0007.

FSIQ = Full Scale IQ; VIQ = Verbal IQ; PIQ = Performance IQ; WMI = Working Memory Index; VCI = Verbal Comprehension Index; POI = Perceptual Organization Index; PSI = Processing Speed Index.

*p < .001.

SPM = Standard Progressive Matrices; RCF = Rey Complex Figure copy; COWA = Controlled Oral Word Association Test; CT1 = Color Trail 1; CT2 = Color Trail 2; FSIQ = Full Scale IQ; PIQ = Performance IQ; POI = Perceptual Organization Index; VIQ = Verbal IQ; VCI = Verbal Comprehension Index.

¹The results of the z-test analyses are available by contacting the first author.