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Relation Between Oppositional/Conduct Behaviors and Executive Function Among Youth with Histories of Heavy Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Author(s) -
Doyle Lauren R.,
Glass Leila,
Wozniak Jeffrey R.,
Kable Julie A.,
Riley Edward P.,
Coles Claire D.,
Sowell Elizabeth R.,
Jones Kenneth Lyons,
Mattson Sarah N.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/acer.14036
Subject(s) - conduct disorder , psychology , executive functions , executive dysfunction , clinical psychology , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , neuropsychology , cognitive flexibility , psychopathology , multivariate analysis , developmental psychology , psychiatry , cognition , medicine
Background Youth with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure have high rates of behavioral concerns and psychopathology, including increased oppositional and conduct behaviors. The relation between those concerns and executive function ( EF ) deficits is unknown. We investigated the association of oppositional and conduct behavior and EF in adolescents to inform targeted intervention. Methods Subjects ( N = 267) ages 10 to 17 years comprised 3 groups: alcohol‐exposed with oppositional/conduct behaviors ( AE +), alcohol‐exposed without oppositional/conduct behaviors ( AE −), and controls ( CON ). Group differences on direct neuropsychological (Delis‐Kaplan Executive Function System [D‐ KEFS ]) and indirect parent‐report (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function [ BRIEF ]) EF measures were tested with multivariate analysis of covariances, followed by univariate analysis of variances and pairwise comparisons. The contribution of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) within the AE groups was assessed in secondary analyses. Results On the D‐ KEFS , there was an omnibus main effect of group, with significant main effects on 3 of 6 variables ( CON > AE +, AE −). Within the AE groups, ADHD did not alter the results. On the BRIEF , there was an omnibus significant main effect of group, with significant main effects on all scales ( CON < AE −< AE +). Within the AE groups, the AE + group had higher BRIEF scores (i.e., more difficulty) than the AE − group on 4 of 8 subscales when accounting for presence of ADHD . Conclusions EF deficits in youth with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure were confirmed using direct and indirect measures. Oppositional/conduct behaviors related to EF deficits on indirect but not direct EF measures. Greater understanding of the contribution of concurrent psychopathology to long‐term outcomes for alcohol‐exposed youth requires further investigation.