A general measure of adaptive behavior.

A factor analysis was used to determine the extent to which multiple domain scores offer a more detailed view of adaptive and maladaptive behavior than do two general scores defined as simple sums. The general indices of adaptive and maladaptive behavior accounted for an overwhelming majority of the multiple domain score variance. This held true even when the range of ability was restricted. Since multiple indices of adaptive behavior offer little specific variance and create statistical problems, I concluded that adaptive behavior should be measured using a single general score. The same conclusion was reached with regard to maladaptive behavior.