ConfirmatoryFactorAnalysis of theBehaviorRating InventoryofExecutive Function-Adult Version in Healthy Adults and Application to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

TheBehaviorRating InventoryofExecutiveFunction-AdultVersion (BRIEF-A) is aquestionnairemeasuredesigned toassess executive func-tioning in everyday life.Analysis of data from theBRIEF-Astandardization sampleyielded a two-factor solution (labeledBehavioralRegulation and Metacognition). The present investigation employed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate four alternative models of the factor structure of the BRIEF-A self-report form in a sample of 524 healthy young adults. Results indicated that a three-factor model best fits the data: a Metacognition factor, a Behavioral Regulation factor consisting of the Inhibit and Self-Monitor scales, and an Emotional Regulation factor composed of the Emotional Control and Shift scales. The three factors contributed 14%, 19%, and 24 % of unique variance to the model, respectively, and a second-order general factor accounted for 41 % of variance overall. This three-factor solution is consistent with recent CFAs of the Parent report form of the BRIEF. Furthermore, although the Behavioral Regulation factor score in the two-factor model did not differ between adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and a matched healthy comparison group, greater impairment on the Behavioral Regulation factor but not the Emotional Regulation factor was found using the three-factor model. Together, these finding