Factor Structure of Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions in Children with Intellectual Disability

Executive functions (EF) play a key role in child’s cognitive, behavioral and emotional development. There are many instruments and tests created to measure different aspects of EF in children. One of the most widely used measures for assessing EF is the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). The goal of the present study was to assess the factor structure of the 8 domains of EF in children with intellectual disability. Special education teachers of 90 children with intellectual disability aged 7-15 years (54 boys, 36 girls) filled the Bosnian translation of BRIEFteacher version. BRIEF is valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of executive functions. It is composed of the 8 EF domains: Inhibit, Shift, Emotional Control, Initiate, Working Memory, Plan/Organize, Organization of Materials and Monitor. The results of this study confirmed the original two factor structure of the BRIEF for children with intellectual disability. Total percentage of explained variance for two factors was 83.6%. The data obtained in this study almost perfectly followed the original factor structure of the BRIEF. BRIEF seems to have stable factor structure across the samples. Thus, it can be validly used in many clinical populations. Given the format of the BRIEF, it can be used in identifying weaknesses and creating programs for enhancing EF in children.