Predictive validity of WAIS-R VIQ-PIQ splits in persons with major depression

We selected a sample of patients with depression (N = 70) and used Bayesian analyses to examine the diagnostic predictive validity of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Verbal IQ (VIO) minus Performance IQ (PIQ) difference score for depression. The patients showed average VIO-PIO differences in the expected direction (i.e., VIQ > PIG). However, based on sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value statistics, we concluded that the VIO-PIQ split has very low predictive validity in persons with depression. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.