A Comparison of Intellectual and Behavioral Functioning in Older Persons

• Main Authors: Smith, Michael C, Kramer, Nanette A
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 22.11.1982
• Subjects: Aging (Individuals); Comparative Analysis; Depression (Psychology); Females; Gerontology; Intelligence; Intelligence Differences; Older Adults; Performance Factors; Physical Disabilities; Physical Mobility; Psychological Testing

In order to ascertain the extent to which older persons' levels of behavioral functioning parallel their levels of intellectual functioning, 42 female patients, aged 61-99, of an outpatient comprehensive care geriatric clinic, completed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRS), and the modified Hachinski Ischemic Score (MHIS), a measure of vascular conditions. The tests were administered in their homes. The subjects, who were participants from a larger study, met the following selection criteria: female; right-handed; level of education less than high school graduate; annual income less than $8,000; no clinically observable aphasia or apraxia; no psychotropic drugs within 2 weeks of testing; score indicating only mild depression or normal mood on the Hamilton Scale; and no history of medical or psychiatric problems which might affect mental functioning. Analyses of results showed that the overall correlation between intellectual functioning (WAIS full IQ) and behavioral difficulties (IADL) was significant and remained so even after the effects of age, vascular condition, and depression were partialled out. However, there was considerable variability in the behavioral functioning of subjects across all levels of intellectual functioning. Appendix A provides the scoring for the IADL scale by item, and Appendix B provides the scoring for MHIS. (MCF)