An Analysis of the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale in a College Population: Does It Predict Symptoms of ADHD Better Than a Visual-Search Task?. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dehili, Vincent Malik; Prevatt, Frances; Coffman, Theodora P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 21:Number 7(2017)
• Page Start: 567
• Page End: 574
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: ADHD -- executive functioning -- BDEFS -- college students; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054713498932
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: Executive functioning (EF) deficits have been associated with ADHD. However, disagreement exists concerning the extent to which cognitive tests of EF accurately reflect a diagnosis of ADHD. Barkley developed the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS) by categorizing the meta-construct of EF into five subdomains. This study investigated the incremental validity of the BDEFS in predicting symptoms of ADHD compared with a visual-search task. We also investigated patterns among the five BDEFS domains.Method: One hundred and sixteen college students completed a visual-search task and the BDEFS and reported on their symptoms of ADHD.Results: (a) BDEFS total scores significantly predicted total ADHD symptoms, whereas the visual-search task failed to predict ADHD symptoms. (b) The BDEFS demonstrated significant correlations with symptoms of ADHD in expected patterns.Conclusion: This study provides evidence of validity for the BDEFS in a college sample.