Measurement Invariance and Latent Mean Differences in the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS): Does the German Version of the RIAS Allow a Valid Assessment of Individuals with a Migration Background?

This study examined measurement invariance and latent mean differences in the German version of the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS) for 316 individuals with a migration background (defined as speaking German as a second language) and 316 sex- and age-matched natives. The RIAS measures...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2016-11, Vol.11 (11), p.e0166533-e0166533
Main Authors: Gygi, Jasmin T, Fux, Elodie, Grob, Alexander, Hagmann-von Arx, Priska
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biology and Life Sciences
Census of Population
Child
Child, Preschool
Communication Barriers
Economic indicators
Emigrants and Immigrants
Factor analysis
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Female
Germany
Humans
Intelligence
Intelligence tests
Intelligence Tests - standards
Invariance
Language
Male
Middle Aged
Migration
Noncitizens
People and Places
Physical Sciences
Psychology
Psychometrics - methods
Research and Analysis Methods
Social factors
Social Sciences
Stereotypes
Studies
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Summary:This study examined measurement invariance and latent mean differences in the German version of the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS) for 316 individuals with a migration background (defined as speaking German as a second language) and 316 sex- and age-matched natives. The RIAS measures general intelligence (single-factor structure) and its two components, verbal and nonverbal intelligence (two-factor structure). Results of a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis showed scalar invariance for the two-factor and partial scalar invariance for the single-factor structure. We conclude that the two-factor structure of the RIAS is comparable across groups. Hence, verbal and nonverbal intelligence but not general intelligence should be considered when comparing RIAS test results of individuals with and without a migration background. Further, latent mean differences especially on the verbal, but also on the nonverbal intelligence index indicate language barriers for individuals with a migration background, as subtests corresponding to verbal intelligence require higher skills in German language. Moreover, cultural, environmental, and social factors that have to be taken into account when assessing individuals with a migration background are discussed.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0166533