Identification of measurement differences between English and Spanish language versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Detecting differential item functioning using MIMIC modeling.
BACKGROUND
Knowledge of the extent to which measurement of adult cognitive functioning differs between Spanish and English language administrations of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is critical for inclusive, representative, and valid research of older adults in the United States.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to demonstrate the use of an item response theory (IRT) based structural equation model, that is, the MIMIC model (multiple indicators, multiple causes), to evaluate MMSE responses for evidence of differential item functioning (DIF) attributable to language of administration.


METHODS
We studied participants in a dementia case registry study (n = 1546), 42% of whom were examined with the Spanish language MMSE.


RESULTS
Twelve of 21 items were identified as having significant uniform DIF. The 4 most discrepant included orientation to season, orientation to state, repeat phrase, and follow command. DIF accounted for two-thirds of the observed difference in underlying level of cognitive functioning between Spanish- and English-language administration groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Failing to account for measurement differences may lead to spurious inferences regarding language group differences in level of underlying level of cognitive functioning. The MIMIC model can be used to detect and adjust for such measurement differences in substantive research.
Jones
Richard N
RN
Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged, Boston, Massachusetts 02131, USA. jones@mail.hrca.harvard.edu
D000368:Aged; D015982:Bias; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D012015:Reference Standards; D014175:Translating