Reliability and construct validity of the Rey-Auditory Verbal Learning Test in Brazilian elders

Authors

  • Jonas Jardim de Paula Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Medicina Molecular; Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas
  • Larissa Pacheco Cunha Melo Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Medicina Molecular; Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas
  • Rodrigo Nicolato Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Medicina Molecular; Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas
  • Edgar Nunes de Moraes UFMG; Departamento de Clínica Médica
  • Maria Aparecida Bicalho UFMG; Departamento de Clínica Médica
  • Amer Cavalheiro Hamdan Universidade Federal do Paraná; Departamento de Psicologia
  • Leandro Fernandes Malloy-Diniz UFMG; Departamento de Saúde Mental

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832012000100004

Keywords:

Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test, RAVLT, validity, reliability, episodic memory, verbal learning

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) is widely used for the assessment of episodic memory. However, there are few studies in Brazil assessing its psychometric properties. OBJECTIVES: To search for evidence of reliability and construct validity of the RAVLT, and to assess the influence of age, schooling, gender, and depressive symptoms on test performance. METHODS: One hundred twenty-six healthy older adults (aged 60 and over) performed the RAVLT, Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Reliability was assessed by analysis of internal consistency, and construct validity by factor analysis and correlations with the MMSE and CDT. The influence of age, schooling and depressive symptoms was estimated by conducting linear regression analysis, and the role of gender by comparing the performance of males and females. RESULTS: The RAVLT showed a high internal consistency, weak correlations with the MMSE and CDT, and a bifactorial structure, which is related to the processes of learning and episodic memory retrieval. Only age and gender affected test performance. DISCUSSION: Our results provide evidence of reliability and construct validity in the tested RAVLT version, attesting its potential for clinical and research purposes for the Brazilian elderly population.

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Published

2012-01-01

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Original Articles

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Reliability and construct validity of the Rey-Auditory Verbal Learning Test in Brazilian elders . (2012). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 39(1), 19-23. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832012000100004