Enhanced interpretation of the BRIEF2: multivariate base rates of elevated scores in the standardization samples

The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF2) is a standardized rating (self, parent, and teacher) scale of executive functioning in children and adolescents. Here, we provide multivariate base rate (MBR) information (for the Self, Parent, and Teacher forms), which is not included in the BRIEF2 Professional Manual. Participants were children and adolescents for the BRIEF2 Self-Report (ages = 11-18; N = 803), Parent-Report (ages = 5-18; N = 1,400), and Teacher-Report (ages = 5-18; N = 1,400) standardization samples. We focused on cumulative (e.g., % of sample with oneor more elevated scores) MBRs across scales, which were examined at three elevation levels on each form: T≥ 60, ≥65, and ≥70. Across forms, MBRs predictably decreased with increasing number of elevated scores and at higher cutoffs. The cumulative MBR of having at least one score at T≥ 60 was common (37.5-42.2%), but less frequent at T≥ 70 (15.4-17.4%). The probability of having elevated scores on all scales was very low, irrespective of form, age, or elevation threshold (T≥ 60 = 2.4-4.4%; T≥ 65 = 1.0-1.4%; T≥ 70 = 0.0-0.7%). There was no clinically meaningful relation between demographic factors (age, gender, race, and parental education) and MBRs. These data provide clinicians and researchers with an enhanced way of concurrently interpreting multiple BRIEF2 scales.