Executive functions,impulsivity, and inhibitory control in
adolescents: A structural equation model |
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Authors: | Emanuele Fino Sergio Melogno Paolo Iliceto Sara D’Aliesio Maria Antonietta Pinto Gabriella Candilera Ugo Sabatello |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza
University of Rome, Italy;2.Department of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza
University of Rome, Italy;3. CEO of S&P Statistics and Psychometrics Ltd, Rome,
Italy;4.Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice, Rome, Italy |
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Abstract: | Background. Adolescence represents a critical period for brain
development, addressed by neurodevelopmental models to frontal,
subcortical-limbic, and striatal activation, a pattern associated with rise of
impulsivity and deficits in inhibitory control. The present study aimed at
studying the association between self-report measures of impulsivity and
inhibitory control with executive function in adolescents, employing structural
equation modeling. Method. Tests were administered to 434 high
school students. Acting without thinking was measured through the Barratt
Impulsiveness Scale and the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory, reward sensitivity
through the Behavioral Activation System, and sensation seeking through the
Zuckerman–Kuhlman–Aluja Personali- ty Questionnaire. Inhibitory control was
assessed through the Behavioral Inhibition System. The performance at the
Wisconsin Card Sorting Task indicated executive function. Three models were
specified using Sample Covariance Matrix, and the estimated parameters using
Maximum Likelihood. Results. In the final model, impulsivity and
inhibitory control predicted executive function, but sensation seeking did not.
The fit of the model to data was excellent. Conclusions. The
hypothesis that inhibitory control and impulsivity are predictors of executive
function was supported. Our results appear informative of the validity of
self-report measures to examine the relation between impulsivity traits rather
than others to regulatory function of cognition and behavior. |
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Keywords: | executive function impulsivity inhibitory control sensation seeking personality |
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