Kathryn McLennan
Doctor of Clinical Psychology, (Psychology)
Study Completed: 2018
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Citation
Thesis Title
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN MIDDLE CHILDHOOD:
Objective and subjective assessment of executive and social functioning
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Child neuropsychology has undergone numerous changes in recent years, with Executive Functioning (EF), Theory of Mind (ToM) and Affect Recognition (AR) now being considered in neuropsychological assessment tools. Most measures used with New Zealand children have not been evaluated with this population. As a result, it is unclear how information gained from these assessment tools relate to each other and inform clinical practice. Ms McLennan's research aimed to explore measurement issues in child neuropsychological assessment tools within a New Zealand context using the BASC-2, BRIEF, and NEPSY-II measures. Participants included 241 school-aged children. Ratings on the BASC-2 and BRIEF measures differed substantially from American norms. Results indicated a discrepancy between parent and teacher reports, and information gained from subjective versus objective measures. Her findings have important clinical implications for the use and interpretation of these measures, and for the neuropsychological assessment of EF, ToM, and AR in New Zealand children.
Supervisors
Professor Janet Leathem
Associate Professor Ross Flett