Construct validity of the Neuropsychological Screening Battery for Hispanics (NeSBHIS) in a neurological sample

Epidemiological studies suggest that the Hispanic population is at increased risk for neurological disorders. Yet, few assessment measures have been developed for, adapted to, or normalized with Spanish-speakers. The neuropsychological Screening Battery for Hispanics (NeSBHIS) was developed to address the lack of resources available to this under-served community. Although the NeSBHIS possesses robust construct validity and clinical utility in a community-based sample, these properties remain largely untested in neurological populations. One hundred and twenty-seven Spanish-speaking Hispanic patients with confirmed epilepsy (mean age = 37.8, SD=13.3) were evaluated using the NeSBHIS. All participants self-identified as Hispanic and immigrated from Spanish-speaking countries. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis with a priori assumption that variables would load according to theoretical expectations reported by Ponton and colleagues (2000). The overall model fit indices were in the desired range: Comparative Fit Index=0.936. Tucker Lewis Index=0.915, RMSEA=0.090, and SRMR=0.069. All NeSBHIS subtests loaded significantly (p < .001) on their respective factors: the standardized loadings were high, ranging from 0.562 to 0.995, with the exception of Block Design (-0.308). Overall, findings suggest that the NeSBHIS has robust construct validity in neurological sample. (JINS, 2009, 15, 217-224.)