B - 77 Self-Reported Executive Dysfunction Is Related to Emotional Distress: Findings among University Students

Abstract Objective Performance based neuropsychological tests assess executive functions (EF), but self-report rating inventories may increase ecological validity by inquiring about EF in everyday life. These sources of information often disagree, largely because subjective self-reports are influenced by emotional distress. Research has seldom explored how strongly subjective ratings of EF correlate uniquely with depression and anxiety versus flattering and unflattering self-reports more generally. This project examined the relationship between self-reported EF on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult Version (BRIEF-A) with performances on tests of EF, as well as measures of depression, anxiety, curiosity, and anger. We hypothesized that BRIEF-A scores would share small correlations with tests of EF, medium correlations with depression and anxiety, and intermediate correlations with anger and curiosity. Method 151 undergraduates [80% female; age 21.4 (3.8)] completed the BRIEF-A, neuropsychological tests of EF, and self-report measures of depression, anxiety, anger, and curiosity. Results The BRIEF-A Behavior Regulation (BRI) and Metacognitive (MI) indices shared a large correlation (r = 0.66), with internal consistencies exceeding 0.90. No correlation between BRIEF-A indices and neuropsychological performances exceeded 0.10. Problems reported on the BRI and MI were positively associated with self-reported depression (r = 0.45) and state anxiety (r = 0.29). The MI had a small correlation with state curiosity (r = −0.21), whereby more metacognitive problems were associated with less curiosity. BRI correlated with state anger at 0.19. Conclusions It is unlikely self-reported EF reflects generic positive self-regard and is more closely associated with emotional distress. Users of the BRIEF-A should consider depression and anxiety when interpreting this test.