A longitudinal investigation of parental ratings and performance metrics for executive functioning and symptom severity in clinically referred youth with ADHD

Figures & data

Figure 1. Flow-chart. BRI: behavioral regulation index; BRIEF: Behavior Rating of Executive Function; CPT: Continuous Performance Test; HI: hyperactivity impulsivity; I: inattention; MI: metacognition index; SNAP-IV: Swanson-Nolan-Pelham Scale, fourth edition. *Seven parents used BRIEF (parent version) for children older than 18 years old.

Table 1. Demographic data, mean values at baseline and follow-up, and standard deviations (SDs) for the SNAP-IV, BRIEF, and CPT II at baseline and follow-up.

	Baseline scores (2011–2012)			Follow-up scores (2014–2015)
Measures	n	%		n	%
Sex: boys	96	70		77	69
Older than 18	–	–		23	21
Medication, yes	–	–		82	81
Parental education:
Primary school	12	9		11	10
High school	50	36		38	34
University	46	34		39	35
	n	Mean	SD	n	Mean	SD
SNAP inattention	128	18.04	5.05	108	15.11	6.30
SNAP hyperactivity/impulsivity	127	12.40	13.14	108	9.20	6.23
BRIEF BRI	127	66.72	13.67	108	63.94	12.61
BRIEF MI	125	68.65	9.09	108	65.75	10.71
CPT Omissions	133	58.08	15.36	101	53.16	15.62
CPT Commissions	133	53.60	9.06	101	55.70	12.46
CPT RT (mean)	133	53.42	12.54	101	52.62	10.88
CPT RT (SE)	133	58.15	10.49	101	54.47	12.15

Notes. ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; BRI: behavioral regulation index; BRIEF: Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function; CPT: Continuous Performance Test; MI: metacognition index; RT: reaction time; SE: standard error; SNAP-IV: Swanson-Nolan-Pelham Scale, fourth edition. The number of observations varied due to partial attrition. The CPT II and BRIEF were age- and sex-standardized and raw scores were converted to T scores (mean = 50; SD = 10), BRIEF-A, age standardized. Parent-rated SNAP-IV was measured as a summary score. Higher scores indicate greater impairment in all measures except CPT Hit RT (mean). Lower scores in Hit RT (mean) indicate faster RT.

Figure 2. The estimates (b), corresponding 99% confidence intervals, and a forest plot for the slopes of change between baseline and follow-up of the SNAP-IV, the BRIEF, and the Conners’ CPT II.

Notes. ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; BRI: behavioral regulation index; BRIEF: Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function; CI: confidence interval; CPT: Continuous Performance Test; MI: metacognition index; RT: reaction time; SE: standard error; SNAP-IV: Swanson-Nolan-Pelham Scale, fourth edition. The number of observations varied due to partial attrition. The CPT II and BRIEF were age- and sex-standardized and raw scores were converted to T scores (mean = 50; standard deviation (SD) = 10), BRIEF-A standardized to age. Parent-rated SNAP-IV was measured in summary scores. Higher scores indicate greater impairment in all measures. In CPT II, lower scores for Hit RT (mean) indicate faster RT.

Figure 3. Non-adjusted linear mixed models analyzing associations between the SNAP-IV subscales and BRIEF indexes, and CPT II variables measured at baseline and follow-up.

Notes: ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; b: unstandardized value of the estimate; BRI: behavioral regulation index; BRIEF: Behavior Rating of Executive Function; CPT: Continuous Performance Test, Version II; CI: confidence interval; MI: metacognition index; RT: reaction time; SE: standard error; SNAP-IV: Swanson-Nolan-Pelham Scale, Fourth Edition. The number of observations varied due to partial attrition. The CPT II and BRIEF were age- and sex-standardized and raw scores were converted to T scores (mean = 50; standard deviation (SD) = 10), BRIEF-A standardized to age. Parent-rated SNAP-IV was measured in summary scores. Higher scores indicate greater impairment in all measures. In CPT II, lower scores for Hit RT (mean) indicate faster RT.

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.