Differential item functioning in the Mini-Mental State Examination in English- and Spanish-speaking older adults

Psychol Aging. 1997 Dec;12(4):718-725. doi: 10.1037/0882-7974.12.4.718.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMS; M. F. Folstein, S. E. Folstein, & P. R. McHugh, 1975) demonstrates item bias with respect to measuring cognitive functioning of older Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Assessment of differential item functioning (DIF) of individual MMS items across 3 language/ethnicity groups (English test administration/non-Hispanic ethnicity, English test administration/Hispanic ethnicity, and Spanish test administration/Hispanic ethnicity) was performed by using a logistic regression procedure. Fifteen of the 26 MMS items were significantly related to total score and were shown to provide unbiased measurement across the 3 groups. Normative data are presented for older Hispanics (n = 365) and non-Hispanics (n = 388) on the raw MMS, a 15-item version in which items with significant DIF were eliminated, and a total score statistically adjusted for effects of education and age.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Bias
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dementia / diagnosis*
  • Dementia / ethnology
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment*
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multilingualism*
  • Neuropsychological Tests / standards*
  • Probability
  • Psychometrics / standards
  • Reproducibility of Results