The factor structure of the Wechsler memory scale-revised and several brief neuropsychological screening instruments in recently detoxified substance abusers

The Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) has attracted a fair amount of research activity since its publication. Much of this activity has centered on the factor structure of the WMS-R. The present study examines the factor structure of the WMS-R, both when the indices are used as variables and when the scale scores themselves are used as variables. Three hundred fifty-two recently detoxified substance abusers were used as subjects. Both sets of analyses included other neuropsychological variables in order to facilitate clear explications of memorial and cognitive functions tapped by the WMS-R. The results indicate support both for use of the indices and for use of the subscale scores. Differences between these results and the results of earlier factor analyses are discussed in terms of sample characteristics.