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Ecological validity of measures of executive functioning
Author(s) -
Odhuba R. A.,
Broek M. D.,
Johns L. C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
british journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.479
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8260
pISSN - 0144-6657
DOI - 10.1348/014466505x29431
Subject(s) - psychology , ecological validity , executive functions , neuropsychology , executive dysfunction , neuropsychological assessment , clinical psychology , test (biology) , cognition , neuropsychological test , test validity , criterion validity , psychometrics , developmental psychology , psychiatry , construct validity , ecology , biology
Objectives. This study aimed to ascertain the ecological validity of the Hayling and Brixton tests of executive functioning, by investigating whether cognitive ‘impairment’ detected by these measures was associated with assessment of ‘disability’ and ‘handicap’. Design and method. A correlational design was employed to evaluate the degree of association between the executive test results, and behavioural and community integration measures. Participants were 53 people with brain injuries participants who were selected from neuropsychology patient lists and their ‘significant other’. The brain‐injured participant was given the executive tests, together with behavioural and community integration questionnaires, while their ‘significant other’ was given an equivalent behavioural questionnaire and structured interview. Results. There were moderate relationships between scores on the tests and measures of everyday functioning, suggesting that the tests have modest ecological validity. Conclusions. The tests contribute to understanding the impact of executive impairment on everyday functioning, but they should be interpreted in combination with other measures of executive functioning.