Use of the behavior rating inventory of executive function parent form for children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

This study assessed the validity of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions Parent Form (BRIEF; Gioia, Isquith, Guy, & Kenworthy, 2000) for children with ADHD and a matched control sample. A sample of 114 children with ADHD (69% with co-morbidity) and 114 matched controls were found to exhibit statistically (p < .001) and clinically significant group differences on the BRIEF scales. Discriminant function analyses revealed that the Global Executive Composite accurately identified 78% of the sample (79% of controls and 77% of children with ADHD correctly identified). Results also revealed that the Behavior Regulation and Metacognitive Indexes accurately classified 78% of the sample (77% of controls and 79% of children with ADHD correctly identified), with the Behavior Regulation Index contributing most to the discriminant function. Diagnostic efficiency was examined with a range of cutoff scores. Using the test authors’ recommended cut-score of 65, diagnostic efficiency statistics yielded large Overall Correct Classification (OCC) values for the Global Executive Composite, and to a lesser extent the Behavioral Regulation and Metacognitive Indexes. At the recommended cut-score of 65, indexes yielded strong specificity and moderate to weak sensitivity. Indexes yielded strong positive predictive power and moderate negative predictive power. The Global Executive Composite yielded the strongest positive and negative predictive power. Implications of results for practice and research are discussed.Psy.D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Liat Zilbertstei