Factor structure of the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological test battery for older children

The underlying dimensions of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery for Older Children (HRNB-C) were examined for a large sample of school-referred children. First, a principal components analysis (PCA) of 17 HRNB-C subtests produced a seven factor solution that accounted for 76% of the original variance. In the second phase, analysis of 31 scores from the HRNB-C, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R & WISC-III), and achievement tests produced a nine-factor solution accounting far 67% of the variance. Principal factor analyses (PFA) of these data were performed to permit comparison with the PCA solutions. The PFA and PCA solutions were similar and conclusions about factor structure were comparable. It is suggested that the use of factor/index scores may provide an additional approach to interpretation of the HRNB-C and guidelines for estimating factor scores are provided. Initial attempts at establishing construct validity are described, along with estimates of reliability for selected factors.