Relationship of Working Memory, Processing Speed, and Fluid Reasoning in Psychiatric Patients

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate relationship among cognitive factors (working memory and processing speed) and fluid reasoning (Gf) in psychiatric patients using a standardized clinical tool. METHODS: We included the responses of 115 heterogeneous patients who were diagnosed with the MINI-Plus 5.0 and WAIS-IV/WMS-IV was administered. For our analysis, structured equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to evaluate which cognitive variables are closely related to the Gf. RESULTS: The results showed that the visual working memory was the strongest predictor of the Gf compared to other cognitive factors. CONCLUSION: Processing speed was capable of predicting the Gf, when visual working memory was controlled. The inter-relationship among the Gf and other cognitive factors and its clinical implications were further discussed.