title: Parent- and self-ratings of executive functions in adolescents and young adults with spina bifida.
abstract: This study examined the agreement and consistency of parent- and self-report of executive functioning (EF) (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions; BRIEF) in an adolescent cohort of youth with myelomeningocele and shunted hydrocephalus (MMH). A total of 30 youth participants with MMH and their parents were recruited during adolescence (age 11-18, mean age 14), and a smaller sample (n = 13) was re-evaluated during young adulthood (age 18-26, mean age 22). Parent- and self-report T-scores were moderately correlated during adolescence (General Executive Composite, GEC, r = .504, p = .007) and adulthood (GEC, r = .571, p = .041). Compared to adolescent self-ratings, parent-ratings suggested higher levels of overall executive dysfunction and problems with metacognitive abilities during adolescence. Preliminary results from a small follow up sample, however, suggest that self- and parent-report of executive functioning may become more comparable during young adulthood. These preliminary data also suggest stability of deficit and/or possible improvement in executive presentation during the transition from adolescence to adulthood in this clinical population. Implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 1750 East Fairmount Ave., Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. zabela@kennedykrieger.org
authors.forename: T Andrew
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Zabel
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zachik
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Levey
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kinsman
authors.forename: E Mark
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mahone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D012647:Self-Assessment; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications*; D055815:Young Adult