title: A factor analytic study of the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped Scale.
abstract: Five hundred six severe and profoundly mentally retarded persons (247 women and 259 men) from Wisconsin and Louisiana were assessed on the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped Scale. A factor analysis yielded six factor scales: tantrums, aggression/conduct, language disorder/verbal aggression, social withdrawal/stereotypy, eating disorders, and sleep disorders. These data demonstrate a nosology of symptoms loading more heavily on vegetative symptoms than what is evident with persons in the mild and moderate ranges of mental retardation and persons who are not mentally retarded. The implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Matson
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Coe
authors.forename: W I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sovner
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D009626:Terminology as Topic