Provides valuable information regarding specific executive functioning deficits, including those found in ADHD.
Russell Barkley, Ph. D., ABPP, ABCN

• Age Range: 18-81 years
• Time: 15-20 minutes, Long Form, 4-5 minutes, Short Form

The Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scales (BDEFS) is an empirically-based tool for evaluating dimensions of adult executive functioning in daily life. It offers an ecologically-valid snapshot of the capacities involved in time management; organization and problem solving; self-restraint; self-motivation, and self-regulation of emotions. A special feature is an Adult ADHD Risk Index, in the Long Form. A valuable tool for forensic psychologists, neuropsychologists, social workers and psychiatrists.

Enhancing the convenience and value of the BDEFS, the limited photocopy license allows reproduction of Forms and score Sheets, and yields considerable cost savings over other available scales.  

Contents
*Executive Functioning
*Development of the BDEFS
*Normative Sample
*Factor Analysis, Scale Construction and Item Frequencies
*Relationship of BDEFS Scores to Demographic Factors in the Normative Sample
*Reliability
*Validity
*Scoring and Interpretation

Forms and Score Sheets
*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report
*BDEFS-LF: Other Report
*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Males Ages 18-34)
*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Females Ages 18-34)
*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Males and Females 18-34)

*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Males Ages 35-49)
*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Females Ages 35-49)
*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Males and Females 35-49)

*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Males Ages 50-64)
*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Females Ages 50-64)
*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Males and Females 50-64)

*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Males Ages 65-81)
*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Females Ages 65-81)
*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Raw Scores (Males and Females 65-81)

*BDEFS-LF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Total EF Symptom Counts (All ages, both sexes)
*BDEFS-SF: Self-Report
*BDEFS-SF: Other Report
*BDEFS-SF: Self-Report Score Sheet for Total EF Summary Scores and Symptom Counts
*BDEFS-SF: Clinical Interview, Self-Report

The BDEFS is based on more than 16 years of research, using a prototype of the BDEFS. The large normative sample (N>1,200) is representative of the U.S. population, in terms of region, socioeconomic status, education, ethnicity/race and gender, based on the 2000 U.S. Census. Scoring Sheets present the percentiles for the normative sample by sex and age (18-34, 35-49, 50-64 and 65-81 years of age). Unlike other EF rating scales, the normative sample is a true general population sample, not limited to those with an internet connection, and not excluding those with psychiatric disorders, psychiatric medication use, learning disabilities, neurological disorders, or serious medical illnesses.

Reliability
Reliability of the scores is quite satisfactory as evidenced by high internal consistency (Chronbach’s alpha ranging from .91 tp .95 scores across the five scales); good interobserver agreement (.66 to .79 across scales), and high test-retest reliability over a 2-3 week interval (ranging from .62 to .90 across scales and .84 for the Total EF Summary Score).

Validity
Validity of the scale scores was evident in numerous analyses, including factor analyses; correlations with other measures of EF; and correlations, regression analyses, and group comparisons concerning disorder discrimination and concurrent validity, with various measures of functional impairment in major life activities (associated risks for ADHD, educational history, occupational functioning, social relationships, marriage, driving, financial management, crime and drug use, parenting stress, and offspring psychopathology, among other domains).