Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) in a Clinical Sample

• Published in: Child neuropsychology Vol. 8; no. 4; pp. 249 - 257
• Main Authors: Gioia, Gerard A., Isquith, Peter K., Retzlaff, Paul D., Espy, Kimberly A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 01.12.2002
• Subjects: Adolescent; Affect; Child; Child Behavior Disorders - diagnosis; Child, Preschool; Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Reproducibility of Results; Severity of Illness Index; Social Control, Informal; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0929-7049; 1744-4136
• DOI: 10.1076/chin.8.4.249.13513

Evidence for the validity of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF; Gioia, Isquith, Guy, & Kenworthy, 2000) based on internal structure was examined in a sample of children with mixed clinical diagnoses via maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis. Four alternative factor models of children's executive function, based on current theories that posit a unidimensional versus fractionated model (Rabbitt, 1997; Shallice & Burgess, 1991), using the revised 9-scale BRIEF configuration that separates two components of the Monitor scale, were examined for model fit. A 3-factor structure best modeled the data when compared directly with 1-, 2-, and 4-factor models. The 3-factor model was defined by a Behavior Regulation factor consisting of the BRIEF Inhibit and Self-Monitor scales, an Emotional Regulation factor consisting of the Emotional Control and Shift scales, and a Metacognition factor composed of the Working Memory, Initiate, Plan/Organize, Organization of Materials, and Task-Monitor scales. The findings support a fractionated, multi-component view of executive function as measured by the BRIEF.