ABSTRACT
This chapter describes methodology and initial results of the screening for associations between the three derived minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) symptoms — learning difficulties (LD), hyperkinetic-impulsive behavior (HI), and neurological “soft signs” (NS) — and antecedent variables. The LD, HI, and NS factor scores were treated as both continuous and discrete variables for the initial screening for association with antecedents. As continuous variables correlation coefficients were calculated for each MBD symptom with the antecedent variables. And as dichotomized variables t statistics were calculated to determine the significance of differences in mean values of antecedent variables for groups with normal and abnormal factor scores. Demographic and maternal antecedents came mostly from a variety of socioeconomic and obstetric history forms. The pregnancy and delivery antecedents were also taken from several forms. These forms detailed the results of prenatal histories and examinations, screening for infectious diseases, and delivery room observations and events.
