Parent-and self-ratings of executive functions in adolescents and young adults with spina bifida

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.