BRIEF-A: Factor structure and measurement invariance across self-report and informant forms

Objective: This study analyzes the psychometric properties of the two forms (self-report and informant) of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult version (BRIEF-A) in a sample of healthy Portuguese adults.

Method: The participants were 608 adults, 304 of whom answered the self-report form (ages 18-59; 137 male and 167 female) and 304 who answered the informant form (ages 18-70; 110 male and 194 female).

Results: The internal consistency for the indexes and the Global Executive Composite was very good (≥.90), whereas for the scales they were either acceptable (between .70 and .80) or good (≥.80), except for the Inhibit scale in both forms. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test seven competing factor models for each of the forms. The original two-factor model (Behavioral Regulation and Metacognition Indexes) showed a slightly better model fit than the three-factor model (Behavioral Regulation, Emotional Regulation, and Metacognition Indexes) in both forms. The multiple-group analysis of the two-correlated-factor model across forms was supported (configural, metric, and partial scalar invariance).

Conclusions: Overall, the BRIEF-A showed adequate psychometric properties, suggesting that it is a useful instrument to assess everyday executive functioning in healthy Portuguese adults.