Jessica Fish1, F Colin Wilson2. 1. Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom. 2. Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the external and ecological validity of a standardized test of children's executive functioning (EF), the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome for Children (BADS-C). BACKGROUND: There are few standardized measures for assessing executive functions in children, and the evidence for the validity of most measures is currently limited. METHOD: A normative sample of 256 children and adolescents from age 8-16 years completed the BADS-C, and a parent or teacher completed rating scales of the child's everyday problems related to EF (Children's version of the Dysexecutive Questionnaire; DEX-C) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a commonly used measure of emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioral problems. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analyses yielded a two-factor structure to the BADS-C, indicative of monitoring and abstract reasoning processes, and a three-factor structure to the DEX-C, reflecting behavioral, and cognitive components of the dysexecutive syndrome as well as emotional responsiveness. Regression analyses showed significant relationships between BADS-C scores and everyday functioning as reported on the DEX and SDQ. Furthermore, there were significant differences in BADS-C scores between those children in the upper and lower quartiles on the SDQ. CONCLUSION: Results provide tentative evidence of BADS-C and DEX-C construct, convergent and predictive validity.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the external and ecological validity of a standardized test of children's executive functioning (EF), the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome for Children (BADS-C). BACKGROUND: There are few standardized measures for assessing executive functions in children, and the evidence for the validity of most measures is currently limited. METHOD: A normative sample of 256 children and adolescents from age 8-16 years completed the BADS-C, and a parent or teacher completed rating scales of the child's everyday problems related to EF (Children's version of the Dysexecutive Questionnaire; DEX-C) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a commonly used measure of emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioral problems. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analyses yielded a two-factor structure to the BADS-C, indicative of monitoring and abstract reasoning processes, and a three-factor structure to the DEX-C, reflecting behavioral, and cognitive components of the dysexecutive syndrome as well as emotional responsiveness. Regression analyses showed significant relationships between BADS-C scores and everyday functioning as reported on the DEX and SDQ. Furthermore, there were significant differences in BADS-C scores between those children in the upper and lower quartiles on the SDQ. CONCLUSION: Results provide tentative evidence of BADS-C and DEX-C construct, convergent and predictive validity.
Authors: Joseph Biederman; Michael C Monuteaux; Alysa E Doyle; Larry J Seidman; Timothy E Wilens; Frances Ferrero; Christie L Morgan; Stephen V Faraone Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2004-10