Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Emotional distress or executive dysfunction? What is the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult self-report scale actually assessing in an assessment-seeking postsecondary sample? |
| Authors: |
Harrison AG; Regional Assessment and Resource Centre, Queen's University., Armstrong IT; Regional Assessment and Resource Centre, Queen's University., Pollock B; Regional Assessment and Resource Centre, Queen's University. |
| Source: |
Psychological assessment [Psychol Assess] 2026 Aug; Vol. 38 (8), pp. 571-582. |
| Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
| Language: |
English |
| Journal Info: |
Publisher: American Psychological Association Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 8915253 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1939-134X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10403590 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Psychol Assess Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): |
Original Publication: Arlington, VA : American Psychological Association, [c1989- |
| MeSH Terms: |
Executive Function*/physiology , Self Report*/standards , Behavior Rating Scale*/standards , Psychological Distress*, Students/psychology ; Humans ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Psychometrics ; Adolescent ; Reproducibility of Results ; Personality Inventory |
| Abstract: |
Using archival Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Adult (BRIEF-A), Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), and executive functioning (EF) test data from 826 assessment-seeking postsecondary students, this study sought to assess the impact that response bias, symptom validity, and psychological factors have on self-reported executive dysfunction and the relationship between self-reported EF and objective performance. Study 1 examined whether the BRIEF-A adequately samples negative response bias (NRB) and what the effect was of undetected NRB on obtained BRIEF-A scores. Study 2 explored the relationship between PAI scales and the BRIEF-A Metacognitive Index. When controlling for NRB, Study 3 examined whether objective EF test scores or psychological complaints best predict self-reported EF problems on the BRIEF-A. Findings demonstrate that NRB, as measured by the PAI, resulted in significantly elevated scores on all of the BRIEF-A scales and indices compared with valid reporters. The BRIEF-A Metacognitive Index was most strongly correlated with and best predicted by an overall measure of general psychological distress on the PAI. When controlling for NRB, all BRIEF-A indices were unrelated to objective EF performance but significantly related to general psychological distress along with psychological symptoms reported on the PAI. Overall, in a postsecondary population, responses on the BRIEF-A appear most reflective of psychological symptoms and NRB, not performance on objective EF tests. Clinical implications are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved). |
| Entry Date(s): |
Date Created: 20260730 Date Completed: 20260730 Latest Revision: 20260730 |
| Update Code: |
20260731 |
| DOI: |
10.1037/pas0001433 |
| PMID: |
42530993 |
| Database: |
MEDLINE |