Ecological validity of the Dysexecutive Questionnaire: Results from the PariS-TBI study

The Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX; Wilson, Pettigrew, & Teasdale, 1998) has been designed to assess executive dysfunctions in daily life. However, its relationships with cognitive testing, mood, and the ability to fulfil daily life demands, have not yet been systematically addressed. The objective of this study was to address these issues in a prospective four-year follow-up study of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) (PariS-TBI study). One hundred and forty seven patients were included. The DEX (self-version) showed a good internal consistency. The total DEX score was significantly inversely correlated with years of education, but did not significantly correlate with any initial injury severity measure. The DEX was significantly and positively related to cognitive deficits, as assessed with the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale–Revised (NRS-R); with mood disorders, as assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); with dependency in elementary and extended activities of daily...