Psychometric properties of the behavior rating inventory of executive function, second edition (BRIEF2) in a sample of children with ADHD in Iran

Evaluation instruments for executive functions in children and adolescents: an update of a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to update a systematic review of instruments for evaluating the executive functions (EFs) in a pediatric population to assess their measurement properties.

AREA COVERED

Studies describing evaluation tools of EFs were systematically searched on four electronic databases: PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, and Web of Science. To be included studies had to be on a population aged 0 to 18 were included. The individuals were either healthy or presented a neurodevelopment disorder. Risk of Bias was evaluated through the Consensus-based Standards to select the health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN).

EXPERT OPINION

The search was conducted on April 2023. Eighty-four papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study; the studies refer to 72 different evaluation tools of EFs. Most of the studies analyzed through a methodological quality analysis received an 'adequate' score. The instrument most mentioned was the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF2) in seven articles.

Investigating executive functioning and episodic future thinking in Iranian women with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

This study examined executive functioning and episodic future thinking among Iranian women with breast cancer.

METHOD

We recruited 40 healthy female community volunteers and 80 females with breast cancer (either currently undergoing chemotherapy n = 40 or not undergoing chemotherapy n = 40). Participants were assessed using cognitive tasks that assessed executive functioning and episodic future thinking and a measure of cancer-related fatigue.

RESULTS

Both cancer groups had poorer performance than controls on all measures of executive functioning and episodic future thinking. Those undergoing chemotherapy had poorer performance on all measures of executive functioning than those not undergoing chemotherapy. Cross-sectional mediation analyses revealed cancer-related fatigue had a significant mediator role between cancer group and executive functioning and episodic future thinking.

CONCLUSION

Those with breast cancer, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy, may be experiencing cognitive difficulties. These cognitive concerns should be considered by health teams as addressing these impairments may assist in improving quality of life and treatment adherence.

Psychometric properties of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, second edition (BRIEF2) self-report form in Iranian adolescents

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the psychometric properties of a Persian translation of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF2) Self-Report form.

METHOD

Participants were 589 typically developing adolescents (336 girls and 253 boys), ages 11-18 years old (M = 15.16; SD = 2.04), in Iran. They completed the Persian version of the BRIEF2 Self-Report form and Teenage Executive Functioning Inventory (TEXI). The Persian translated BRIEF2 psychometric properties were examined via internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity via associations with TEXI scores, and internal structure using structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate fit of the three-factor structure from the original English version BRIEF2.

RESULTS

Findings indicated the Persian version of BRIEF2 Self-Report form yielded scores with robust reliability, with internal consistency ranging from .87 to .93 and test-retest correlations ranging from .89 to .96, and adequate convergent validity, with correlations with the TEXI ranging from .48 to .79. SEM revealed that a three-factor solution was the best fitting model for the seven subscales of the Persian BRIEF2.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the clinical use of the Persian BRIEF2 in Iranian adolescents, including the interpretation of the BRIEF2 three-factor structure, as well as the multidimensional nature of executive functions.

Executive functions scale for university students: UEF-1

Introduction

Executive functions are a set of mental abilities that allow human beings to consciously regulate their behavior and, in a university setting, will have a significant impact on student success during professional training.

Objective

To develop a scale to assess executive functions in a university setting.

Method

Using a sample of 1,373 university students from Chile (663) and Ecuador (710) between 17 and 33 years old (M_age = 20.53, SD = 2.34). A study was carried out to analyze the psychometric properties of the instrument using a reliability and validity analysis for a scale that assesses executive functions: conscious monitoring of responsibilities, supervisory attentional system, conscious regulation of behavior, verification of behavior to learn, decision making, conscious regulation of emotions, and management of elements to solve tasks.

Results

Adequate internal consistency parameters were found between α = 0.71 and 0.85. The seven executive functions proposed on the scale correlated proportionally between r = 0.42 and 0.62. In the confirmatory factor analysis, good fit indices were obtained in the model of the seven executive functions x²₍₄₁₃₎ = 1649.14, p = <0.001, CFI = 0.91, SRMR = 0.04 and RMSEA = 0.04.

Discussion

The research carried out reaches its conclusion stating that the scale that was developed has the psychometric properties to assess executive functions in the Latin American setting. The results regarding previous research and the contribution made in the line of research of executive functions are discussed.

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the BRIEF2 Parent Form across gender in a Portuguese sample

This study aimed to investigate the factor structure and the measurement invariance across gender of the BRIEF2 Parent Form in Portuguese typically developing children. Participants were 700 typically developing children (n = 352 girls and n = 348 boys) aged 6-16 years. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test five competing factor models. Consistent with the BRIEF2 original dimensional structure, the three-factor model demonstrated the most adequate fit to the data. The measurement invariance of the three-factor model across gender was supported (configural, metric, and partial scalar invariance). Overall, the BRIEF2 Parent Form showed adequate psychometric properties, suggesting that it is a useful instrument to assess everyday executive functioning based on reports of behaviors observed by parents in healthy Portuguese children.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the BRIEF2 in a sample of youth with Down syndrome

BACKGROUND

The factor structure of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, second edition (BRIEF2) has been widely examined in both typically developing children and specific clinical samples. Despite the frequent use of the BRIEF2 for measuring executive functioning in individuals with Down syndrome, no study has investigated the factorial validity or dimensionality of the BRIEF2 in this population. This study aimed to address this notable gap in the literature.

METHODS

Parents of 407 children and youth with Down syndrome aged 6-18 years completed the BRIEF2 as part of different studies led by six sites. Three competing models proposed by previous studies were analysed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis: the theoretical structure of the BRIEF2 where the scales were constrained to load on three factors labelled as Cognitive, Behavioral, and Emotional Regulation, a two-factor correlated model with the merged Behavioral and Emotional regulation, and a single-factor model.

RESULTS

The three-factor model provided a better fit than the one- and two-factor models, yet a large correlation was observed between Behavioural and Emotional regulation factors. The results provide meaningful explanatory value for the theoretical structure of the BRIEF2. However, the Behavioral and Emotional regulation factors might be less differentiated and the two-factor structure of the BRIEF2 may also make theoretical and empirical sense.

CONCLUSIONS

Although more studies are needed to further examine the factor structure of the BRIEF2 in youth with Down syndrome, this investigation provides preliminary support for the interpretation of the three executive function index scores provided by the BRIEF2: Cognitive, Behavioral, and Emotional Regulation.

Effectivity of Saffron Extract (Saffr’Activ) on Treatment for Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Clinical Effectivity Study

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder worldwide. Choice treatment includes psychostimulants, but parents tend to be reluctant to administer them due to side effects, and alternatives are needed. Saffron extract is a natural stimulant that has been proven safe and effective for treating a variety of mental disorders. This study compares the efficacy of saffron and the usual treatment with methylphenidate, using objective and pen-and-paper tests. We performed a non-randomized clinical trial with two groups, methylphenidate (n = 27) and saffron (n = 36), in children and adolescents aged 7 to 17. Results show that the efficacy of saffron is comparable to that of methylphenidate. Saffron is more effective for treating hyperactivity symptoms, while methylphenidate is more effective for inattention symptoms.