In the Netherlands, 15% of boys and 10% of girls in elementary school show behaviour problems. The current study investigated executive functioning as a risk factor for externalizing behaviour...Show moreIn the Netherlands, 15% of boys and 10% of girls in elementary school show behaviour problems. The current study investigated executive functioning as a risk factor for externalizing behaviour problems. School-age children who are at risk of developing delinquent behaviour are compared to regular developing children in the relation between executive functioning and externalizing behaviour problems. Three components of executive functioning, inhibition, working memory and cognitive flexibility were investigated. The total sample consisted of 131 boys and 34 girls (N = 165), aged eight to twelve years old (M = 10). 76.4% of the sample were high-risk children; the other 33.6% consisted of the control group. The Teacher’s Report Form was filled in by teachers to measure behaviour problems. Three neurological tasks were used to measure inhibition problems, working memory and cognitive flexibility. To obtain the results, a multiple regression analysis, independent t-tests and a moderation analysis were conducted. Inhibition problems and cognitive flexibility appeared to be significant predictors for externalizing problems. Furthermore, high-risk children showed more inhibition problems and a less developed working memory and cognitive flexibility. There was no difference in the relation between any form of executive functioning and externalizing behaviour, when the high-risk and control group were compared. The proven relationship of inhibition problems and externalizing behaviour problems may ultimately be used for the implementation of interventions. Interventions could (partly) focus on improving inhibition control to decrease externalizing behaviour problems.Show less
