title: Executive functions, impulsivity, and inhibitory control in adolescents: A structural equation model.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fino
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melogno
authors.affiliation: CEO of S&P Statistics and Psychometrics Ltd, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iliceto
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Aliesio
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Antonietta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Candilera
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sabatello
keywords: executive function; impulsivity; inhibitory control; personality; sensation seeking