A longitudinal examination of the developmental executive function hierarchy in children with externalizing behavior problems

J Atten Disord. 2015 Jun;19(6):496-506. doi: 10.1177/1087054713488439. Epub 2013 May 15.

Abstract

Objective: Using a 4-year longitudinal design, we evaluated two hypotheses based on developmental executive function (EF) hierarchy accounts in a sample of children with externalizing problems.

Method: The participants performed EF tasks when they were between 8 and 12 years (M = 9.93), and again approximately 4 years later when they were between 12 and 15 years (M = 13.36).

Results: Inhibition in middle childhood predicted working memory (WM) 4 years later. Further, deficits in inhibition and sustained attention were more prominent in middle rather than late childhood, whereas poor WM was salient throughout these periods.

Conclusions: These findings support the hypotheses that EFs develop hierarchically and that EF deficits in ADHD are more prominent in actively developing EFs. They also emphasize ADHD as a developmental disorder.

Keywords: ADHD; development; executive function; hierarchy; longitudinal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Attention*
  • Child
  • Conduct Disorder / complications
  • Conduct Disorder / physiopathology*
  • Developmental Disabilities
  • Executive Function / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Mental Disorders
  • Neuropsychological Tests