Factor structure and aetiological architecture of the BRIEF: A twin study.
Executive function is a broad construct that encompasses various processes involved in goal-directed behaviour in non-routine situations (Banich, 2009). The present study uses a sample of 560 5- to 16-year-old twin pairs (M = 11.14, SD = 2.53): 219 monozygotic twin pairs (114 female; 105 male) and 341 dizygotic twin pairs (136 female, 107 male; 98 opposite sex) to extend prior literature by providing information about the factor structure and the genetic and environmental architecture of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF; Gioia et al., 2000, Child Neuropsychol., 6, 235; Gioia et al., 2000, Behavior rating inventory of executive function, Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources), a multifaceted rating scale of everyday executive functions. Phenotypic results revealed a 9-scale, 3-factor model best represents the BRIEF structure within the current sample. Results of the genetically sensitive analyses indicated the presence of rater bias/contrast effects for the Initiate, Working Memory, and Task-Monitor scales. Additive genetic and non-shared environmental influences were present for the Initiate, Plan/Organize, Organization of Materials, Shift, and Monitor and Self-Monitor scales. Influences on Emotional Control were solely environmental. Interestingly, the aetiological architecture observed was similar to that of performance-based measures of executive function. This observed similarity provided additional evidence for the usefulness of the BRIEF as a measure of 'everyday' executive function.
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
Callie W
CW
Little
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
Jeanette
J
Taylor
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
Allison
A
Moltisanti
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
Chelsea
C
Ennis
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.|Florida Center for Reading Research, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
Sara A
SA
Hart
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.|Florida Center for Reading Research, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
Chris
C
Schatschneider
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic

BRIEF
; executive functioning; genetic influences; twin study