Evaluation of two shortened forms of the SAWAIS with three diagnostic groups.

This study evaluated the shortened forms of the WAIS by Coolidge (1976) and Golden (1976), respectively. This was accomplished by administering the South African Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (SAWAIS) to subjects with depression (N = 42), mentally retarded subjects (N = 32), and subjects who presented with an organic brain syndrome (N = 79). Correlations between the full scale scores and the shortened form scores fluctuated between .80 and .91. With all three groups the shortened forms indicated significance (p less than .01 with all six correlations). It appears that these two shortened forms, depending on the reason for testing, can be used successfully with different psychiatric groups. However, the results must be used with caution, especially when used with mentally retarded patients.