Adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the English version of the Interpersonal Neurobiology-Based Prefrontal Cortex Functions Scale

The prefrontal cortex–regulator of cognitions, emotions, and behaviors–is involved in a host of physical and psychological health variables. One way of assessing the functions of this latest developed section of the human brain, the prefrontal cortex, is from the perspective of executive functions. Another way of conceptualizing the prefrontal cortex functions is through the lens of Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB). There are various neuropsychological instruments used to assess the executive functions as well as a few self-report inventories. On the other hand, there is no official, standardized, widely validated self-report scale that measures prefrontal cortex functions explicitly based on the IPNB framework, except a few emerging or related instruments. One of the scarce self-report assessment instruments is the Prefrontal Cortex Functions Scale (PFCFS), which is composed of behavioral manifestations of the prefrontal cortex processes, specifically based on the IPNB approach. The current study examines the psychometric properties of the English version of the IPNB-Based Prefrontal Functions Scale using data from two samples of 343 adults and 286 university students living in the USA. The criterion instruments used were the Five-Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire, Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale, The Revised-Adult Attachment Scale, and Web-Based Executive Functions Scale. Our results revealed that the reliability the composite reliability values for all five subfactors and the total scale ranged from .70 to .85.) and validity values, as well as the factor structure found after the exploratory (explaining 54% of the variance) and confirmatory factor analyses, were satisfactory and in parallel with the various studies using the original Turkish form. PFCF scores were positively correlated with mindfulness (r = .47, p < .01) and secure attachment (r = .38, p < .01) and negatively correlated with executive functions problems (r = -.22, p < .01), emotional dysregulation (r = -.34, p < .01) and anxious/avoidant attachment (r = -.13, p < .05). The study supports the PFCFS EN as a reliable, quick, and versatile tool for assessing prefrontal cortex functions, useful in research on attachment, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and related constructs.