Factor analysis of the texas functional living scale in an outpatient clinical sample

Abstract

Objective: Prior factor analysis of the Texas Functional Living Scale (TFLS), a performance-based measure of functional abilities, in a military veteran sample supported four factors discrepant from the published subscales. This study analyzed TFLS factor structure in a non-veteran clinical sample. Method: Two hundred seventy adult outpatients completed the TFLS during neuropsychological evaluation. Principal axis factor analysis with oblique promax rotation was conducted with age and education effects partialed out. Results: Parallel analysis indicated five factors for extraction that accounted for a combined 48% of the variance. The first factor independently explained 26% of the total variance. Inspection of factor loadings suggested the following factor interpretations: Complex calculations/time, complex visual search, praxis, memory, and basic calculations/math concepts. Five items did not significantly load onto any of the factors. Conclusions: Current results did not entirely correspond to the published subscales or prior results in a veteran sample. Further clarification of the TFLS factor structure is warranted.