Mahone E Mark, Martin Rebecca, Kates Wendy R, Hay Trisha, Horská Alena
Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland.
J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2009 Jan;15(1):31-41. doi: 10.1017/S1355617708090164.
The purpose of the present study was to investigate construct validity of parent ratings of working memory in children, using a multi-trait/multi-method design including neuroimaging, rating scales, and performance-based measures. Thirty-five typically developing children completed performance-based tests of working memory and nonexecutive function (EF) skills, received volumetric MRI, and were rated by parents on both EF-specific and broad behavior rating scales. After controlling for total cerebral volume and age, parent ratings of working memory were significantly correlated with frontal gray, but not temporal, parietal, or occipital gray, or any lobar white matter volumes. Performance-based measures of working memory were also moderately correlated with frontal lobe gray matter volume; however, non-EF parent ratings and non-EF performance-based measures were not correlated with frontal lobe volumes. Results provide preliminary support for the convergent and discriminant validity of parent ratings of working memory, and emphasize their utility in exploring brain-behavior relationships in children. Rating scales that directly examine EF skills may potentially have ecological validity, not only for "everyday" function, but also as correlates of brain volume. (JINS, 2009, 15, 31-41.).
本研究的目的是采用多特质/多方法设计,包括神经影像学、评定量表和基于表现的测量方法,来调查父母对儿童工作记忆评定的结构效度。35名发育正常的儿童完成了基于表现的工作记忆和非执行功能(EF)技能测试,接受了容积磁共振成像(MRI)检查,并且父母对他们在特定EF和广泛行为评定量表上进行了评分。在控制了全脑体积和年龄后,父母对工作记忆的评分与额叶灰质显著相关,但与颞叶、顶叶或枕叶灰质以及任何脑叶白质体积均无显著相关性。基于表现的工作记忆测量方法也与额叶灰质体积存在中度相关性;然而,非EF父母评分和非EF基于表现的测量方法与额叶体积无关。结果为父母对工作记忆评定的聚合效度和区分效度提供了初步支持,并强调了它们在探索儿童脑-行为关系中的效用。直接检查EF技能的评定量表可能不仅对“日常”功能具有生态效度,而且作为脑容量的相关指标也具有生态效度。(《神经影像学杂志》,2009年,第15卷,第31 - 41页)