There is limited knowledge about the specific role of cognitive functions in the compliance of toddlers. The aim of this study was to provide an insight in the relation between compliance of...Show moreThere is limited knowledge about the specific role of cognitive functions in the compliance of toddlers. The aim of this study was to provide an insight in the relation between compliance of toddlers and their cognitive functions. The relationships between emotion recognition, executive functioning and compliance were measured in a population-based cohort study (n =280). Compliance was assessed with the ´don’t task´ when the toddlers were 36 months old. The behavior was coded using a system that differentiated between six dimensions. Emotion recognition was assessed at 36 months in a computerized emotion-labeling task. At 48 months the executive functioning of the toddlers was assessed by using the specific version of the ‘Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-P)’ for children between 3 and 5 years old. Parents have completed this questionnaire. It was expected that both emotion recognition and executive functioning were related to compliance. It was also hypothesized that emotion recognition moderated the relation between compliance and executive functioning. There was no significant relation between compliance and emotion recognition. In addition, there was no difference in the accuracy of recognition of positive and negative emotions. There was a significant relation between compliance and executive functioning. Not all subscales of executive functioning were related to compliance. The only subscales related to compliance were inhibition, working memory and planning and organization. Emotion recognition did not moderate the relationship between executive functioning and compliance. The findings of this study suggest that there are certain cognitive functions of toddlers that are related to their compliance. Future research should also focus on other cognitive functions, for example on ‘Theory of Mind’. In addition, there should be more research to validate the results of this study.Show less
