Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of the Self-Report Form of Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult version (BRIEF-A)

[Background]Evaluation of brain function is achieved through patients’ behavior. One of the self-regulatory behaviors, impaired in various psychiatric and neurological disorders, is executive function. Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult version (BRIEF-A) is a standard tool for the assessment of executive function.[Objectives]Thus, the present study aimed at validating the Persian version of BRIEF-A.[Materials and Methods]The study population consisted of 318 employees/students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and teachers/staff of the Education Department of Juyom, Larestan, Fars province, aged between 18 and 65 years, who obtained a General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) score of < 6. The BRIEF-A questionnaire was translated, revised, and rechecked in expert meetings and the final version was given to participants under observation of a research-team member. Test-retest reliability was determined for a random sample of 60 participants during one month. Cronbach’s alpha was used to estimate the scale internal consistency and validity was evaluated via content validity and factor analysis. The SPSS and LISREL software was used, with P value of less than 0.05 determining the level of significance.[Results]Cronbach’s alpha for BRIEF-A subscales was as follows: inhibit 0.693, shift 0.774, emotional control 0.838, self-monitor 0.704, and initiate 0.717, working memory 0.775, plan/organize 0.795, task monitor 0.650, and organization of material 0.781. Fitness evaluation of the BRIEF-A model factors showed comparative and non-normed fit index of 0.095, standardized root mean of 0.064, and root mean square error of approximation square residual of 0.051 for 9 areas (75 questions) (P = 0.001), which was also calculated separately for BRI/MI, measuring 0.98, 0.034, and 0.088, respectively (P = 0.001). Test-retest reliability showed a significant correlation between the first and second evaluation (P < 0.001).[Conclusion]The present study could successfully validate the Persian version of BRIEF-A with a high validity and reliability.