Work

Measurement Invariance of Cognitive Abilities Across Ethnicity, Gender, and Time Among Older Americans

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to test the invariance of the cognitive variables in the Health and Retirement Study/Asset Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old studies (HRS/AHEAD) across ethnicity, gender, and time. METHOD: Analyses were conducted using a selected subsample of the HRS/AHEAD data set. The cognitive performance tests measuring episodic memory and mental status were used, and invariance of a two-factor structure was tested using confirmatory factor analyses and multilevel modeling for longitudinal data. RESULTS: Results provided some support for "strict" factorial invariance of the episodic memory and mental status measures across ethnicity and gender. Further support of weak ("metric") measurement invariance was found across time. DISCUSSION: Results of the research further our understanding of invariance of the HRS/AHEAD cognitive ability measures. Further implications are discussed.

Source: The Journals of Gerontology Series B

DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbt106

Authors: A. Nayena Blankson, John J. McArdle

Institutions: Spelman College, University of Southern California

Language: English

Topic: Psychometric Methodologies and Testing

Subfield: Management Science and Operations Research

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Aging