This research has been conducted with the objective to study the role of executive functions (EF); inhibition, working memory and flexibility in the prediction of behavior problems in children with...Show moreThis research has been conducted with the objective to study the role of executive functions (EF); inhibition, working memory and flexibility in the prediction of behavior problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The children in the research group were selected via different centers in the Netherlands and consists of 29 boys and 4 girls. The ages vary between 8.2 and 14.1 years. The different EF have been measured by three different tasks out of the ANT (STS, SSV, GoNoGo) and with the help of the DEX questionnaire, which has been filled in by the parents. The behavior problems; emotional problems, hyperactivity, conduct disorder and pro-social behavior have also been measured by using the questionnaire filled in by the parents (SDQ). From within the SSV the results show that it turns out that inhibition is a predictor for hyperactivity. Furthermore only the DEX questionnaire turns out to be a predictor for different behavioral problems. It is found that emotional problems cannot be predicted from executive dysfunctions. The current study reveals that executive dysfunctions are a predictical factor for behavioral problems. Distinction in which EF are predictive for a certain type behavior problems cannot be made.Show less
Sleep duration and chronotype are known to have an influence on inhibitory control in adolescents. To date, there are no studies that have looked into this relationship in in school age children ....Show moreSleep duration and chronotype are known to have an influence on inhibitory control in adolescents. To date, there are no studies that have looked into this relationship in in school age children . The question in this research is, is the relationship between chronotype and inhibition mediated by sleep duration in children between the age of 9 and 11 years old? The sample included 594 children between 9 and 11 years old (M=10.48, SD=.82). There were 227 boys and 263 girls (from 104 children gender was unknown). Three instruments have been used; the first instrument was the Children's ChronoType Questionnaire (CCTQ). This questionnaire measures whether the child would a morning type or an evening type. The second instrument was a sleep diary. This sleep diary measures different elements of sleep, for this study the average sleep duration was used. The last instrument that was used, was the inhibition Psychomotor Vigilance Task GoNogo (PVT GoNogo). This instrument measures inhibition with the percentage of correct Nogo's. In this study, chronotype did not serve as a significant predictor for inhibition. In addition, chronotype did not serve as a significant predictor for sleep duration. However, sleep duration did serve as a significant predictor for inhibition (β =.12, t(459) = 2.48, p =.014). Longer duration of sleep was correlated to better inhibition. There was no evidence for sleep duration as a mediator between chronotype and inhibition in children between the age of 9 and 11 years old. Information on the influence of sleep on inhibition problems can be valuable to both professionals and parents. Sleeping problems should also be considered, when there are inhibition problems.Show less
