Attention problems, inhibitory control, and intelligence index overlapping genetic factors: a study in 9-, 12-, and 18-year-old twins.
It is assumed that attention problems (AP) are related to impaired executive functioning. We investigated the association between AP and inhibitory control and tested to what extent the association was due to genetic factors shared with IQ. Data were available from 3 independent samples of 9-, 12-, and 18-year-old twins and their siblings (1,209 participants). AP were assessed with checklists completed by multiple informants. Inhibitory control was measured with the Stroop Color Word Task (Stroop, 1935), and IQ with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Wechsler et al., 2002) or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (Wechsler, 1997). AP and inhibitory control were only correlated in the 12-year-old cohort (r = .18), but appeared non-significant after controlling for IQ. Significant correlations existed between AP and IQ in 9- and 12-year olds (r = -.26/-.34). Inhibitory control and IQ were correlated in all cohorts (r = -.16, -.24 and -.35, respectively). Genetic factors that influenced IQ also influenced inhibitory control. We conclude that the association between AP and inhibitory control as reported in the literature may largely derive from genetic factors that are shared with IQ.
Polderman
Tinca J C
TJC
0000-0001-5564-301X
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam.
de Geus
Eco J C
EJC
0000-0001-6022-2666
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam.
Hoekstra
Rosa A
RA
0000-0002-1333-9762
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam.
Bartels
Meike
M
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam.
van Leeuwen
Marieke
M
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam.
Verhulst
Frank C
FC
Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital.
Posthuma
Danielle
D
0000-0001-7582-2365
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam.
Boomsma
Dorret I
DI
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam.
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012737:Sex Factors; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D014888:Wechsler Scales