Adolescents with solid organ transplant: Using the BRIEF2 parent-report and self-report to measure parent-child agreement and everyday executive function

Abstract

Agreement between parent and adolescent ratings of executive function (EF) is not known in adolescents with solid organ transplant (SOT), even though pressing concerns about EF deficits are being raised in this population. The current study investigated EF in adolescents with SOT using parent and self report. Twenty-five adolescents (M = 15.51 years) with SOT and their parent completed a behavior rating scale assessing EF within everyday context using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF2). Parents and their adolescents demonstrated moderate to excellent agreement across the BRIEF2 clinical and index scores, higher than previous research with a typical sample. Adolescent males had higher agreement with their parents than female adolescents. Both parents and adolescents reported significantly higher mean T scores on various BRIEF2 indices and domains, in addition to higher rates of clinically elevated executive dysfunction than their peers. Assessment of EF and targeting specific EF domains for intervention may be useful in this population.

Keywords:

• Adolescents with solid organ transplant
• Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function
• Second Edition
• executive function
• parent report
• self-report

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the patients and their families who participated and contributed to this research program. This research was supported by a Venture Grant Award funded by the Transplant Research Foundation of BC; BC Children’s Hospital Research Clinical and Translational Research Seed Grant; BC Children's Hospital Research Evidence to Innovation Seed Grant; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute; University of British Columbia; Brain Canada; and the Kids Brain Health Network.

Disclosure statement

All authors have declared they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Notes

1 One of the participants in the sample was 19 years of age.