Search

Objective: Environmental barriers limit exercise in adolescents, but the contribution of cognitive barriers are not as well characterized. Previous findings suggest future thinking may predict exercise intent, which has been linked to health and actual exercise. However, these models may be incomplete as they do not systematically incorporate potential cognitive contributions (e.g., executive function capacity) to exercise intent. This study investigated the possible mediating role of executive function capacity in the relation between future thinking and exercise intent., Methods: Data for the mediation models was collected from 101 adolescents aged 11-17 ( M =  13.09) in a summer enrichment program. Adolescent participants completed self-report measures including Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFCS), Intent to Exercise, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2)., Results: This study found that self-reported executive function capacity mediated the relation between future thinking and exercise intent even when controlling for age and subjective socioeconomic status., Conclusions: While some exercise interventions aim to increase future thinking, this study provides support for additional research into how interventions may benefit from targeting executive function capacity directly to increase exercise intent and actual exercise.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known to contribute to deficits in executive functioning (EF). Executive functioning abilities are disrupted in adolescents with either conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, collectively known as disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs). There is little research on the relationship between executive dysfunction and DBDs in a group with a confirmed history of TBI. The current study endeavored to examine EF abilities, as measured by parent report on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), in four groups: (1) adolescents with a TBI history and co-occurring DBDs history, (2) adolescents with a TBI history and no DBDs history, (3) adolescents with an orthopedic injury (OI) history and co-occurring DBDs history, and (4) adolescents with an OI history and no DBDs history. Groups were matched on the basis of age at injury and estimated socioeconomic status. Participants were evaluated at five time-points throughout the study, within 1 month of injury (initial assessment), 3, 12, 18, and 24 months post-injury. Results indicated the TBI and DBDs group was not significantly different from the OI and DBDs group, and both DBDs groups suffered higher levels of executive dysfunction than the TBI only and OI only groups, which were not significantly different from each other. Results also showed across the four groups, EF deficits were significantly lower at 1 month and 24 months post-injury, suggesting a positive trajectory in EF skill development. Results are discussed in terms of the prognostic importance of EF deficits in children with DBDs.

Objective: While the lack of relation between performance- and inventory-based executive function (EF) measures is well documented, there remains ambiguity between self-report EFs and closely related constructs (e.g., impulsivity) assessed via the same method. The degree of convergence between purported EF measures with similar yet distinct constructs contain important theoretical implications for available EF assessment strategies and their construct validity. A newer measure of EF, the Behavior Regulation Inventory of Executive Functions—Adult (BRIEF-A), allows for more direct comparisons to self-reported measures of impulsivity, such as the commonly used Urgency, Planning, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking—Positive Urgency (UPPS-P) assessment. Method: The present study used factor analysis and hierarchical regression to explore the associations between the BRIEF-A and UPPS-P, using alcohol and cannabis consumption across various outcomes (i.e., quantity-frequency and consequences) as an external criterion. Participants were 339 undergraduate students (Mage = 19.35; Female = 63%) from a large southwestern university. Results: The BRIEF-A and UPPS-P demonstrated strong correlations at both higher- and lower order facets. While the BRIEF-A was a significant correlate to many substance use outcomes, these relations were generally weaker than those seen with the UPPS-P. Hierarchical regression suggested limited contributions of the BRIEF-A over and above the UPPS-P. Conclusions: Overall, this study suggested substantial overlap between impulsigenic factors and EFs when measured by self-report, and limited utility of EF measures to account for unique variance with substance use outcomes in this sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]