Childhood Executive Function Predicts Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms in Emerging Adults With and Without Autism: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study

Ingrid Nesdal Fossum; Stian Orm; Per Normann Andersen; Hilde M Geurts; Merete Glenne Øie; Erik Winther Skogli

doi:10.1080/87565641.2023.2206663

Childhood Executive Function Predicts Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms in Emerging Adults With and Without Autism: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study

Dev Neuropsychol. 2023 Apr-Jun;48(3):97-111. doi: 10.1080/87565641.2023.2206663. Epub 2023 May 8.

Authors

Ingrid Nesdal Fossum^{1

2}, Stian Orm^{1

2}, Per Normann Andersen³, Hilde M Geurts⁴, Merete Glenne Øie^{2

5}, Erik Winther Skogli^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Division Mental Health Care, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway.
² Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
³ Department of Psychology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway.
⁴ Division of Brain & Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
⁵ Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway.

PMID: 37154789
DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2023.2206663

Abstract

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing individuals were assessed on three neuropsychological tests of executive function (EF) and on scales of autism symptoms and co-occurring internalizing and externalizing symptoms at baseline (T1; N = 88, M_age = 11.8 years, 73% males), 2-year (T2; 99% retention, M_age = 13.9 years), and 10-year follow-ups (T3; 75% retention, M_age = 21.4 years). An EF composite score from T1 significantly predicted internalizing symptoms at T2 (β = .228) and internalizing and externalizing symptoms at T3 (β = .431 and .478, respectively), when controlling for age and autism symptoms. OThe findings suggest that EF difficulties are a long-term risk factor for more co-occurring symptoms. .

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Autism Spectrum Disorder* / diagnosis
Autistic Disorder*
Child
Executive Function
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Young Adult