Structural Analysis of the Neuropsychological Data for 6—9-year-old Children

Abstract

Objective. A system of integral indices was developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the neuropsychological data. These indices comprised the executive functions, the information processing, the functions of activation that regulate tone, waking, and mental states. We aimed to check whether the assignment of the neuropsychological measures to different integral indices was valid with structural equation modeling. Method. A total of 471 children aged 6-9 years (older preschoolers and elementary schoolchildren without developmental disorders) participated in the study. All children underwent the neuropsychological examination including both traditional and computerized tests. Results. Two factorial models were constructed, wherein the measures of performance in both traditional and computerized tests were the observed variables, and the cognitive functions were the latent factors. Confirmatory factor analysis has shown that the models fit the empirical data well. Conclusions. The obtained results indicate that the developed integral indices of various groups of cognitive functions are valid and that the results of traditional and computerized neuropsychological examinations are compatible.