The Relationships among Gender, Handedness, GPA, Depression and Visual Memory in the ROCF Test in University Students
Author(s): Ochilbek Rakhmanov and Senol Dane*
Abstract
Introduction: The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF) is a widely used neuropsychological test for the evaluation of visuospatial constructional ability and visual memory.
Methods: A total of 138 Nigerian university students were involved in the study. Participants were 66 men and 72 women who were 17-25 years of age. The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) test developed by Rey and standardized by Osterrieth used to screen for visual memory. The Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) 20 adapted from WHO was used to screen for depression. Handedness was ascertained by using the Edinburgh Handedness Scale.
Results: There was a negative correlation between Grade Point Average (GPA) and depression score in men and a positive correlation in women. Also, there were negative correlations between depression score and short-term and long-term visual memories in the total sample and women, but not in male students. Additionally, women have higher short-term and long-term visual memories in the ROCF test than men in the present study. Also, the left-handed university students had advantages in terms of short-term and long-term visual memories (ROCF test) than the right-handed ones.
Discussion: A negative in men and a positive in women correlations between GPA and depression score may be related to the gender-related differences in depression. High depression score but in its normal range, especially in female university students, is an important factor to increase both GPA and short-term and long-term memories. The advantage or superiority of left-handed athletes for success and performance or their intrinsic neurological advantage compared to right-handed athletes may result from their high scores in short-term and long-term visual memories in the ROCF test.
Conclusion: ROCF test can be accepted as an important and useful tool to assess and follow the achievement and some behavioral or neuropsychological factors in university students.