Association Between Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms and Attentional Network and Working Memory in Primary Schoolchildren

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (13) ◽  
pp. 1787-1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Camprodon-Rosanas ◽  
N. Ribas-Fitó ◽  
S. Batlle ◽  
C. Persavento ◽  
M. Alvarez-Pedrerol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
Attentional Network ◽  
Primary Schoolchildren ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

Background: Few consistent data are available in relation to the cognitive and neuropsychological processes involved in sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine the association of working memory and attentional networks with SCT symptoms in primary schoolchildren. Methods: The participants were schoolchildren aged 7 to 10 years ( n = 183) from primary schools in Catalonia (Spain). All the participants completed a working memory task (n-back) and an attentional network task (ANT). Their parents completed an SCT-Child Behavior Checklist self-report and a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic variables. Teachers of the participants provided information on ADHD symptoms and learning determinants. Results: SCT symptoms were correlated with lower scores in both the n-back and ANT. In multivariate regression analysis, SCT symptoms were associated with slower hit reaction times from the ANT. Conclusions: Our results suggest that SCT symptoms are associated with a neuropsychological profile that is different from the classical ADHD profile and characterized by slower reaction times.

scholarly journals Green spaces and cognitive development in primary schoolchildren

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (26) ◽  
pp. 7937-7942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Payam Dadvand ◽  
Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen ◽  
Mikel Esnaola ◽  
Joan Forns ◽  
Xavier Basagaña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Primary Schoolchildren

Exposure to green space has been associated with better physical and mental health. Although this exposure could also influence cognitive development in children, available epidemiological evidence on such an impact is scarce. This study aimed to assess the association between exposure to green space and measures of cognitive development in primary schoolchildren. This study was based on 2,593 schoolchildren in the second to fourth grades (7–10 y) of 36 primary schools in Barcelona, Spain (2012–2013). Cognitive development was assessed as 12-mo change in developmental trajectory of working memory, superior working memory, and inattentiveness by using four repeated (every 3 mo) computerized cognitive tests for each outcome. We assessed exposure to green space by characterizing outdoor surrounding greenness at home and school and during commuting by using high-resolution (5 m × 5 m) satellite data on greenness (normalized difference vegetation index). Multilevel modeling was used to estimate the associations between green spaces and cognitive development. We observed an enhanced 12-mo progress in working memory and superior working memory and a greater 12-mo reduction in inattentiveness associated with greenness within and surrounding school boundaries and with total surrounding greenness index (including greenness surrounding home, commuting route, and school). Adding a traffic-related air pollutant (elemental carbon) to models explained 20–65% of our estimated associations between school greenness and 12-mo cognitive development. Our study showed a beneficial association between exposure to green space and cognitive development among schoolchildren that was partly mediated by reduction in exposure to air pollution.

Evaluation of the Interplay Between Homework Motivation and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Youth With ADHD: Associations With Homework Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 1262-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe R. Smith ◽  
Rosanna P. Breaux ◽  
Cathrin D. Green ◽  
Joshua M. Langberg
Keyword(s):  
Academic Failure ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
School Students ◽  
Academic Impairment ◽  
Oppositional Defiant ◽  
Youth With Adhd ◽  
Low Motivation ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

Objective: This study evaluated which Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) factors (i.e., Slow, Sleepy, Daydreamer) are most strongly associated with homework motivation, and whether homework motivation mediates the path between SCT and academic impairment. Method: Participants were 285 middle school students (boys 209) in Grades 6 to 8 (ages 10-15 years) who were comprehensively diagnosed with ADHD. Results: Parent- and self-report of SCT Slow behaviors predicted homework motivation above and beyond symptoms of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety, depression, and intelligence. The mediation models tested were multi-informant and cross-rater (parent-report of SCT to self-report of motivation to teacher-report of homework problems), and suggest that low motivation may help explain the associations between SCT and functional impairment. Conclusion: SCT and motivation are significantly associated constructs. Clinically, youth with ADHD and comorbid SCT may be more likely to present with low motivation, placing them at risk for academic failure. The manuscript discusses potential clinical implications of these findings.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Self-esteem, and Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Shaimaa Ezzat Basha ◽  
Futiem Nasha Alsubie
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
University Students ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Positive Direct ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

The present paper aims at determining the contribution of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) and self-esteem to predicting Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among female university students in Saudi Arabia. It examines the differences in the research variables according to academic achievement. It also identifies the correlations of these variables. The authors applied the research instruments, i.e., the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1), Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI), and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) to a sample of 203 female university students aged 19-31 years (M = 23.29 years; SD= 3.74 years). The results showed no differences in the mean scores of ASRS, ACI, and negative self-esteem in the achievement levels among university students. In contrast, there was a positive direct relationship between ADHD, SCT, and negative self-esteem. SCT contributed significantly (by 40%), whereas self-esteem contributed by 6% in predicting ADHD among university students. The study highlighted the contribution of both negative self-esteem and SCT to predicting ADHD among Saudi university students to understand the nature of the disorder and its predictors. The findings of this study can be utilized to develop preventive programs for enhancing self-esteem and increasing attention among university students.   Received: 17 December 2020 / Accepted: 31 January 2021 / Published: 5 March 2021

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Sociodemographic, Behavioral, and Clinical Characteristics in a Population of Catalan School Children

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 632-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Camprodon-Rosanas ◽  
N. Ribas-Fitó ◽  
S. Batlle-Vila ◽  
C. Persavento ◽  
M. Alvarez-Pedrerol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Socioeconomic Indicators ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Cognitive Tempo ◽  
At Home

Objective: The aims of the present study were to examine the presence of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms in children; associations of the symptoms with sociodemographic characteristics of the children; and relationships between SCT symptoms and symptoms of ADHD, dyslexia, academic performance, and behavioral problems. Method: We evaluated Catalan schoolchildren aged 7 to 10 years in Barcelona, 2012-2013. Parents filled out the SCT–Child Behavior Checklist (SCT-CBCL), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic characteristics. Teachers completed the ADHD criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) (ADHD- DSM-IV), a list of dyslexia symptoms, and evaluated the children’s academic performance. SCT symptoms were studied as a continuous and dichotomous variable. Results: In all, 11% of the children in our sample scored above the clinical cut-off on the SCT-CBCL scale. We observed a higher rate of SCT symptoms in boys, children whose father was unemployed, those whose maternal educational level was lower, children with a high socioeconomic vulnerability index at home, those who reported maternal smoking during pregnancy and current second-hand smoke exposure at home, and children with an ADHD diagnosis. More SCT symptoms were associated with inattention symptoms, symptoms of dyslexia, academic problems, and emotional and peer relationship problems. Conclusion: We observed a higher prevalence of SCT symptoms in our sample than expected in the general population. While girls are less prone to SCT symptoms, some socioeconomic indicators, dyslexia, and inattention symptoms as well as exposure to smoking at home increase the risk of SCT and must be taken into account during assessments.

Sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms and psychosocial well-being in adolescents – an epidemiological study in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S441-S441
Author(s):  
T. Hurtig ◽  
J. Veijola
Keyword(s):  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attention Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

IntroductionThe investigation of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) concept has renewed interest in recent years. Apart from previous studies linking SCT items to ADHD, current research now shows further evidence for the relationship between SCT items and impairment in several domains. Despite it is not a clinical entity, SCT items are often seen in clinical child and adolescent psychiatric populations and, thus, further investigation of these symptoms is clearly needed both in clinical and in community samples.ObjectivesOur aim was to investigate the relations between SCT items and psychiatric symptoms, as well as psychosocial and academic functioning in a large general population sample of adolescents.MethodsFifteen-year old adolescents from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n = 9432) completed a postal questionnaire on their health and well-being with a participation rate of 80%. The questionnaire included the Youth Self Report (YSR) which has the following SCT items: I feel confused or in a fog, I daydream a lot, and, I don’t have much energy, as well as items constructing the subscales depressed/anxious, withdrawn, somatic complains, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, rule-breaking behavior, and aggressive behavior.Preliminary resultsAround 8% of adolescents rated themselves above the 90% cut-off in the sum score of SCT items. They also reported more symptoms in all YSR subscales, lower grade marks in academic field, less friends, and lower life satisfaction than adolescents scoring below the 90% cut-off.ConclusionSCT may relate to various psychiatric problems and reduced psychosocial well-being.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Examining the Structural and External Validity of the Adult Concentration Inventory for Assessing Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Adults

Assessment ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107319112110272
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Fredrick ◽  
G. Leonard Burns ◽  
Joshua M. Langberg ◽  
Stephen P. Becker
Keyword(s):  
Time Management ◽  
External Validity ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Symptom Dimensions ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

The Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI) is an adult self-report measure of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) developed following a meta-analysis identifying items distinguishing SCT from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattention. To date, only one study conducted in college students has examined the structural and external validity of the ACI. The current study evaluated the convergent and discriminative validity of the ACI in a community sample of adults, in addition to testing unique associations with internalizing symptoms, daily life executive functions, and sleep. Adults ( N = 286; Mage = 44.45; 83.6% female) completed ratings of SCT, ADHD symptom dimensions, and external correlates. An a priori two-factor model with cross-loadings found 10 of the 16 SCT items to have high loadings on the SCT factor and low loadings on the ADHD inattention factor. SCT was uniquely associated with higher internalizing symptoms, time management and self-organization difficulties, poorer sleep quality, shorter sleep duration, lower sleep efficiency, and more daytime sleepiness. These findings replicate and extend support for the ACI in assessing SCT in adults.

scholarly journals Working Memory Depletion Affects Intertemporal Choice Among Internet Addicts and Healthy Controls

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongxia Li
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Delay Discounting ◽  
Intertemporal Choice ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Self Report ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls

Addiction to the Internet has emerged as a new kind of addictive behavior. Although previous studies have revealed that impairments in working memory led to suboptimal decision making (e.g., a greater willingness to choose smaller, more immediate rewards), little is known about how working memory affects intertemporal choice in Internet addicts and normal users. Thus, this study’s aim was to investigate the effect of working memory task on intertemporal choice in 33 participants addicted to internet and 25 healthy controls. Participants were administered (a) a test for Internet Addiction, (b) a single delay discounting self-report questionnaire (c) a working memory task. Differences between the Internet addicts and the control group were observed in terms of delay discounting rates, reaction times, and in memory accuracy rates. We observed significantly higher delay discounting rates among individuals addicted to the Internet. Moreover, it was documented that reaction times follow the 4-level working memory condition were significantly longer than follow the 2-level condition, in both the Internet addicts and the control group. The current findings suggest that Internet addicts are more likely to make short-sighted decisions than normal Internet users. The higher the level of working memory, the more likely an individual is to choose the present smaller reward, thus making short-sighted decisions, and have longer response times.

Evaluating the Structure of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Using Confirmatory Factor Analytic and Bifactor Modeling With Parent and Youth Ratings

Assessment ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe R. Smith ◽  
Stephen P. Becker ◽  
Annie A. Garner ◽  
Cort W. Rudolph ◽  
Stephen J. Molitor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Fit Statistics ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Bifactor Modeling ◽  
Three Factor ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

The primary goals of this study were to evaluate the dimensionality of the Penny et al. Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale and to compare model fits for parent- and youth self-report versions. Participants were 262 young adolescents (ages 10-15) comprehensively diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Both confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and bifactor modeling were used to determine if the proposed three-factor structure previously identified through exploratory factor analysis could be confirmed. Results showed that although the three-factor CFA had better fit statistics than a one- or two-factor CFA, the bifactor model was the best-fitting model for both parent report and self-report. This implies that Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale is best conceptualized as having an underlying general factor, with three specific factors that may represent different etiologies. Importantly, results also showed low-to-moderate correlations between raters and equivalent or better fit statistics for self-report in comparison with parent report.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document