Executive Functions, Psychiatric Symptoms and ADHD in Child Psychiatric Patients–Concurrent and Longitudinal Associations from Preschool to School Age

Abstract

We investigated in a child psychiatric sample whether preschool age executive functions (EFs) associate with concurrent and school age psychiatric symptoms and ADHD diagnosis. At baseline the children (n = 172) were 4–7 years old, at follow-up (n = 65) 8–13 years. EFs were measured at baseline with Attention and Executive Function Rating Inventory—Preschool Version, psychiatric symptoms were measured at both timepoints by Child Behavior Checklist. Information on diagnoses was collected from medical records. Deficits in EFs were associated with more concurrent externalizing and attention symptoms, but less internalizing symptoms. Preschool EFs predicted only school age attention symptoms. Preschool EFs were associated with both concurrent and school age ADHD diagnosis. Our results emphasize the importance of recognizing EF deficits early to arrange appropriate support to reduce later problems. More research is needed to understand the role of EFs over time in the manifestation of psychiatric symptoms in child psychiatric patients.