OBJECTIVE: This study had three purposes; (1) to assess the underlying factor structure of a battery of neuropsychological tests putatively measuring executive cognitive functioning (ECF) in a sample of boys at high and low risk for substance abuse/dependence; (2) to assess the relationship between ECF and aggressive behavior; and (3) to determine the interactive effects of ECF and a family history (FH) of substance dependence on aggressive behavior. METHOD: Multiple measures of ECF and aggressive behavior were used to test these relationships in a sample of 291 10-12 year old boys with and without a FH of substance dependence. RESULTS: Analyses indicated that the measures of ECF loaded on one factor. ECF was related to aggressive behavior even when accounting for IQ and SES. The interaction between ECF and a FH of substance dependence was also associated with aggressive behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The central finding of this investigation indicates that ECF and its interaction with a FH of substance dependence are associated with aggressive behavior. These results suggest that violence prevention and treatment efforts in high risk groups should incorporate cognitive habilitation focusing on training in ECFs.
OBJECTIVE: This study had three purposes; (1) to assess the underlying factor structure of a battery of neuropsychological tests putatively measuring executive cognitive functioning (ECF) in a sample of boys at high and low risk for substance abuse/dependence; (2) to assess the relationship between ECF and aggressive behavior; and (3) to determine the interactive effects of ECF and a family history (FH) of substance dependence on aggressive behavior. METHOD: Multiple measures of ECF and aggressive behavior were used to test these relationships in a sample of 291 10-12 year old boys with and without a FH of substance dependence. RESULTS: Analyses indicated that the measures of ECF loaded on one factor. ECF was related to aggressive behavior even when accounting for IQ and SES. The interaction between ECF and a FH of substance dependence was also associated with aggressive behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The central finding of this investigation indicates that ECF and its interaction with a FH of substance dependence are associated with aggressive behavior. These results suggest that violence prevention and treatment efforts in high risk groups should incorporate cognitive habilitation focusing on training in ECFs.
Authors: Chella Kamarajan; Bernice Porjesz; Kevin A Jones; Keewhan Choi; David B Chorlian; Ajayan Padmanabhapillai; Madhavi Rangaswamy; Arthur T Stimus; Henri Begleiter Journal: Int J Psychophysiol Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 2.997
Authors: Paula C Viana-Wackermann; Erikson F Furtado; Günter Esser; Martin H Schmidt; Manfred Laucht Journal: Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci Date: 2006-12-14 Impact factor: 5.270