Construct validity of the Functional Assessment of Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies (FAVRES)

Brain Inj. 2017;31(13-14):1807-1812. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2017.1347278. Epub 2017 Aug 22.

Abstract

Background: The Functional Assessment of Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies (FAVRES) is a measure of cognitive-communication and executive functions involving everyday tasks. Scores are predictive of employment status; however, the measure's construct validity is unclear.

Objective: The study's objective was to assess the linear association of FAVRES test performance with performance on a number of neuropsychological measures in a sample of individuals with neurocognitive deficits.

Methods: Twenty-two adults completed the FAVRES, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS), Color-Word Interference (CWI), Tower and Trail Making (TM).

Results: FAVRES Total Accuracy score significantly correlated with CWI Inhibition (r = -0.43) and Tower (r = 0.60). Total Rationale significantly correlated with CWI Inhibition (r = -0.49), TM Number-Letter Switching (r = -0.48) and Tower (r = 0.55). Total Reasoning significantly correlated with CWI Inhibition (r = -0.71), Inhibition Switching (r = -0.50), TM Number-Letter Switching (r = -0.67) and Tower (r = 0.69) but also correlated with a number of measures involving other elements of cognition.

Conclusion: Results provide evidence of convergent validity for the FAVRES as a measure of executive functions. Accuracy and Rationale scores also appear to have good discriminant validity.

Keywords: Assessment; executive functions.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Injuries, Traumatic / complications
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Communication Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Communication Disorders / etiology
  • Comprehension / physiology*
  • Executive Function / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Language Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Stroke / complications
  • Verbal Behavior / physiology*