Parent ratings of children’s daily functioning in a mixed clinical sample

Abstract

Parent questionnaires pertaining to executive and emotional/behavioral functioning are routinely included in neuropsychological evaluations to complement face-to-face cognitive tests. We evaluated in a clinical sample of 198 6–16 year-old children the degree of overlap and divergence between two common parent rating scales: the Behavior Assessment System for Children—Third Edition (BASC–3) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function—Second Edition (BRIEF–2). This sample was 66% male, 70% white, and included both neurological diagnoses (e.g., 33% traumatic brain injury, 12% cerebral palsy) and neurodevelopmental ones (e.g., 10% attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Inter-correlations between composite indices from the respective instruments were moderate (.41–.77). They disagreed about the presence or absence of impairment in 26% of the cases. Cluster analysis revealed four subtypes: Cluster 1 had mild externalizing and executive concerns, Cluster 2 had global emotional/behavioral and executive concerns, Cluster 3 had normal functioning, and Cluster 4 had mild internalizing and executive concerns. Clusters 2 and 3 differed in age and parental education, whereas Clusters 1 and 4 differed in Full Scale IQ. We conclude that BASC–3 and BRIEF–2 provide complementary information about a child’s functioning that can inform treatment of neurobehavioral dysfunction. Elevations as well as patterns of the respective profiles on these instruments may help direct such treatment (e.g., cognitive rehabilitation, behavioral management and/or psychotherapy).