When theory met data: Factor structure of the BRIEF2 in a clinical sample

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Child Development

Background:

• The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF2) is a revised measure of executive behaviors.
• Previous research has not validated the theoretical structure of the BRIEF2.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the factor structure and validity of the BRIEF2's theoretical design.
• To assess the appropriateness of scale-level versus index-level interpretation.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) were performed on item-level responses.
• The study included 5212 clinically referred youth aged 5-18 years.

Main Results:

• EFA indicated the BRIEF2 may have fewer factors than its nine theoretically derived scales.
• CFA showed that while the theoretical model fit well, incorporating item-level data revealed redundancy.
• Loading items directly onto indices, without scales, resulted in minimal changes, suggesting scale redundancy.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that fewer than nine scales are necessary for the BRIEF2.
• Clinical interpretation of the BRIEF2 is likely more appropriate at the index level than the scale level.