Evaluación de los síntomas prefrontales: propiedades psicométricas y datos normativos del cuestionario disejecutivo (DEX) en una muestra de población española

Abstract

Research on the deficits derived from alterations in the prefrontal circuits has been conducted almost exclusively from a categorical perspective, which differentiates normal from pathological functioning. The functioning of the prefrontal cortex, however, can be seen as a continuous dimension. The Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) was created with the intention of being useful as a qualitative measure of the symptoms of 'dysexecutive syndrome' in day-to-day life. AIM. To explore the psychometric properties of the self-reported DEX in a broad sample of the non-clinical population with a view to providing interpretations that can be of use in clinical practice. The Spanish version of the DEX was administered to 1013 non-clinical individuals living in Madrid, Saragossa, Asturias, Navarre and Seville (380 males and 633 females). The factorial study conducted in parallel reveals the existence of two factors with adequate consistency and internal validity indices: items that explore difficulties in beginning, maintaining and organising behaviour (disorganisation/apathy) and items related with the interruption of behaviour in situations where it is inappropriate (disinhibition/impulsivity). The distribution according to age matches the developmental premises. The following cut-off points are proposed: < 10, optimal functioning; 10-18, sub-optimal functioning within normality; 19-28, moderately dysexecutive functioning that requires identification of the possible causes, and > 28, important degree of dysexecutive disorder that would include severe pathologies. The DEX may be useful as an instrument for detecting subjects with demonstrable brain disorders and those with deficient executive functioning without the presence of any known or identifiable pathology.