Psychometric Properties and Normative Data Using Item Response Theory Approach for Three Neuropsychological Tests in Waranka Children Population

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Shortened Version of the Token Test (SVTT), the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III), and the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) using an item response theory (IRT) framework and to establish normative data for Waranka children and adolescents based on their ability scores. Methods: A total of 436 healthy people aged between 6 and 17 participated in this study. The factor structure was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the difficulty and discrimination parameters using IRT through the two-parameter logistic model for the SVTT and PPTV-III, while for the ROCF, the graded response model was used. The ordinal alpha and McDonald’s omega were used for reliability. Results: For most items, a low ability was enough to achieve the highest scores for the ROCF and SVTT. For the PPVT-III, the items aligned sequentially based on the difficulty, and a low level of ability was enough to achieve the highest score for the first 40 items. The ROCF, SVTT, and PPVT-III demonstrated adequate reliability. The ROCF copy and immediate recall scores were influenced by the mean parents’ years of education (MPE) and quadratic age interaction. The SVTT performance was affected by the quadratic age and sex interaction, and the PPVT-III by the interaction effect of the MPE and quadratic age. Conclusions: This is the first study to analyze the psychometric properties of the ROCF, SVTT, and PPVT-III through IRT models that are accurate and relevant for the validity of the obtained data and generate normative data in the under-represented nation of Ecuador for clinical and research purposes.