title: 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?
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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence of validity for the BDEFS in a college sample.
authors.affiliation: 1 Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Vincent Malik
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Dehili
authors.affiliation: 1 Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Prevatt
authors.affiliation: 1 Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Theodora P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Coffman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ADHD; BDEFS; college students; executive functioning