The ecological validity of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure: Predicting everyday problems in children with neuropsychological disorders

Despite its extensive use, the validity of the Rey Complex Figure in predicting everyday behavioral executive dysfunction displayed by children with various neuropsychological disorders is unknown. The copied figures of 263 children aged 6 to 17 years were rescored using an accuracy approach that measured visuospatial ability and three process approaches developed to measure executive functioning. Controlling for age and IQ, partial correlations between scores derived by all scoring methods and the parent ratings on an executive function inventory were zero. In contrast, all four scoring approaches were associated with parent ratings on questionnaires that indexed children's academic achievement, developmental status, and adaptive ability. The findings suggest that the ecological validity of the Rey Complex Figure for children with various central nervous system disorders is more associated with visual-motor integration skills than executive functioning.