EPA-0388 – EFE Scale for Families: A New Tool to Assess Executive Dysfunctions in Spanish-speaking Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Executive functions have been particularly useful in the differential diagnosis of numerous childhood and adolescent clinical disorders. However, although some behavior ratings of Executive Functioning are available today, its application is limited to English-speaking population. In this context, we designed a battery comprised of three questionnaires (family, teachers and self-report forms), being the aim of this study to present the psychometric properties of the questionnaire in its family form. Executive Functioning Scale for Families, formulated in Spanish language, was designed to assess executive functioning skills in children and adolescents from 7-18 years thorough the information provided by families. Consisting on 27 items grouped into 9 scales (Impulsivity, Hyperactivity, Emotional control, Sustained attention, Focus, Functional memory, Plan, Organization and Cognitive flexibility), scores range from 1 to 5, as function of assessed behaviors frequency. In order to analyze its psychometric properties, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Finally, Cronbach's Alpha coefficients were calculated to examine reliability.1019 students aged 7 to18, belonging to 39 Primary and Secondary Schools in Northern Spain, took part in the study. Results concluded that the model which best fits the data is the composed by 9 first order factors, consistent with the hypothesized model. Reliability was high for the whole scale and moderate for its components. These data suggest some good psychometric properties of the designed tool and the potential usefulness of its nine scales in the assessment and delineation of different executive functioning components from the point of view of the observed behavior.