scholarly journals Increasing smoking cessation adherence: Do we need to consider the role of executive function and rumination?

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Marianna Masiero ◽  
Mark Cropley ◽  
Gabriella Pravettoni
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Smoking Behavior ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Moderator Effects ◽  
Quitting Smoking ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Directing Attention ◽  
Potential Moderator

Despite the cost and health consequences, a large number of people continue to smoke cigarettes worldwide every day. Notwithstanding, there have been a number of interventions to help people stop smoking but, in general, these have produced only limited success, and better interventions are needed. Accruing evidence affirmed that rumination and executive function play a pivotal role in cigarette smoking behavior, and in this editorial, we describe and discuss the key findings between these constructs and smoking, and argue that an impairment in executive functions does not act alone, but interacts with rumination by directing attention to depressive thoughts, thereby reducing the ability of smokers to engage in constructive behaviors, such as quitting smoking. Finally, we offer a new theory-driven model based on a deep understanding of the interactions between executive functions and rumination and potential moderator effects.

scholarly journals Barriers to Quitting Smoking Among Young Adults: The Role of Socioeconomic Status

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 294-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Carlson ◽  
Rachel Widome ◽  
Lindsey Fabian ◽  
Xianghua Luo ◽  
Jean Forster
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Smoking Behavior ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Racially Diverse ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Quitting Smoking ◽  
Prevalence Ratios ◽  
Limited Generalizability

Purpose: The aims of this analysis were to explore how self-reported barriers to quitting vary by socioeconomic status (SES) among young-adult smokers and to assess their relationship to quitting. Design: This analysis uses 2 waves of telephone-survey data from the Minnesota Adolescent Community Cohort study. Setting: Midwestern United States. Participants: Participants (n = 419) were smokers aged 17 to 24 years. Measures: Socioeconomic status was estimated using the highest level of education completed by the participants’ parents. Demographics, smoking behavior, and perceived barriers to quitting were collected via survey questions. Analysis: Differences in barriers by SES were assessed using prevalence ratios (PRs). Relative risks were calculated to assess the association between barriers and quitting status 1 year later, testing for effect modification by SES. Results: Compared to the high SES group (n = 314), the low SES group (n = 105) was more likely to report several barriers to quitting; however, only the risk of gaining weight was significantly more common (PR: 1.38 [1.05-1.83]). There were no significant associations between barriers and quitting status 1 year later, but the number of cigarettes per day was consistently related to the likelihood of quitting 1 year later, regardless of SES. Conclusion: Despite the limited generalizability to racially diverse populations and different geographic locations, the results suggest perceived barriers may not differ by SES or predict quitting among young adults; however, nicotine dependence may play an important role.

scholarly journals Some health aspects of the Battle of Stalingrad with elements of philosophical comprehension

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-253
Author(s):  
V P Koshelev ◽  
I G Kornushko ◽  
A V Shpanka ◽  
Yu E Vyazovichenko
Keyword(s):  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Prisoners Of War ◽  
Historical Material ◽  
The World ◽  
Great Patriotic War ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Epidemiological Situation ◽  
Great Victory

Presents extensive historical material unparalleled feat of the Soviet people for a liquidation of consequences of the most ambitious in its bitterness of the battle of Stalingrad, where the cost of enormous effort and enormous human sacrifices our country was able to refract the course of historical events in the Great Patriotic war in their favour. Extremely violent confrontation predetermined the loss of troops, where only in the defensive period of the Stalingrad battle a day killed up to 3,000 people and about the same number of wounded. The severe sanitary and epidemiological situation after the battle, where a huge mass of decaying human bodies remained unburied in a relatively small area of hostilities, and what incredible efforts were made to prevent the impending epidemic of dangerous infectious diseases. The contribution of the outstanding scientist-microbiologist Z. V. Ermoleva and the implementation of her bold decisions in the prevention of cholera epidemic are described. The story is about one of the participants of the battle of Stalingrad on the part of the enemy, but played a huge role in the construction of a moral bridge between the fiercely opposing sides of evil and the liberation of Kurt Roiber - a participant in the battle of Stalingrad, who died in a camp for prisoners of war, but left a number of unforgettable drawings, one of which is the «Stalingrad Madonna» - the fruit of observations and a deep understanding of Russian children and mothers, destitute by military actions, calling in their own way to protect the world over their heads. K. Reiber was able to recognize the inhumanity of war, but that he had to himself to go through this hell. Only by relying on these sensitive triggers of our state of mind can we preserve the memory of the tragedy and the role of Russia’s unparalleled feat, which set an example to the whole world, including the enemy of the power of our indomitable Soviet spirit. And, no matter how hard it was, we should know and often remember these days of the hardest struggle and the great victory.

8. Introduction to Executive Functions

Public Law ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 240-249
Author(s):  
Andrew Le Sueur ◽  
Maurice Sunkin ◽  
Jo Eric Khushal Murkens
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Legal Aspects

This chapter provides an overview of the themes covered in Part II of the book, consisting of Chapters 8-11. It addresses the following questions: What is executive function? What is the role of a constitution in relation to executive functions? It then summarizes the basic constitutional and legal aspects of the various executive bodies considered in Chapter.

scholarly journals Executive Functioning: Assessing the Role of Perceived Paranormal Ability

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Graham Drinkwater ◽  
Neil Dagnall ◽  
Andrew Denovan ◽  
Andrew Parker ◽  
Álex Escolà-Gascón
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Ability Group ◽  
Paranormal Belief ◽  
Ability Groups ◽  
Group A ◽  
Perceptual Factors

This study examined whether scores on self-report measures of executive functions varied in accordance with level of self-professed paranormal ability. The investigators compared three groups varying in attribution of paranormal facilities: practitioners (Mediums, Psychics, Spiritualists and Fortune-Tellers), self-professed ability and no ability. Consistent with recent research on cognitive-perceptual factors allied to delusional formation and thinking style, the researchers anticipated that practitioners would score higher on paranormal belief and self-reported executive function disruption. Correspondingly, the investigators also hypothesised that the self-professed ability group would demonstrate greater belief in the paranormal and higher levels of executive function disruption than the no ability group. A sample of 499 (219 males, 279 females) respondents completed the measures online. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) found a large effect size, alongside significant differences on all variables apart from Cognitive Reappraisal. Pairwise comparisons indicated that Paranormal Belief increased as a function of level of ability; practitioners scored higher than self-professed, who in turn scored higher than the no ability group. For executive functioning, significant differences emerged only for the no ability vs. self-professed ability and no ability vs. practising groups. Collectively, outcomes indicated that perception of ability, regardless of intensity of paranormal conviction, influenced subjective appraisal of executive functions. Failure to find consistent differences between practitioner and self-professed ability groups suggested that discernment of ability was sufficient to heighten awareness of executive functioning disruptions.

Obsessive compulsive symptoms, social functioning and executive functions in chronic schizophrenia

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S386-S386 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Theochari ◽  
E. Tsaltas ◽  
D. Kontis
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Compensatory Mechanism ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms

IntroductionSchizophrenia leads to functional deficits. A third of schizophrenia patients have obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCSs). The existing studies, which have investigated the effect of OCSs on social functioning (SF) of schizophrenia patients have produced contradictory findings and, interestingly, they have not adjusted for the role of executive functioning.ObjectivesTo investigate the predictive role of OCSs on SF in schizophrenia controlling for the effects of executive functioning.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study of 110 chronic schizophrenia patients we assessed OCSs (Yale-Brown Scale), SF (Strauss Carpenter Scale) and composite executive function (cognitive flexibility: Intra–extra dimensional set shifting task and planning: Stockings of Cambridge task) using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). We also measured total symptoms (PANSS total scores) and illness duration. Regression analysis tested the predicting role of OCSs (YBOCS total score) on functioning taking into account executive function (composite score) duration of illness and schizophrenia symptoms.ResultsOCSs were associated with better SF (B = 0.099; 95% CI = 0.019, 0.180; t = 2.449; df = 88; P = 0.016). This result was driven by the association of OCSs with job functioning (B = 0.043; 95% CI = 0.006, 0.081; t = 2.289; df = 88; P = 0.024). Executive functions were not significantly associated with social functioning.ConclusionsOCSs and not executive functions are associated with social functioning in schizophrenia. Future studies should examine whether OCSs represent a compensatory mechanism aiming at preserving social functioning in the disorder.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Relating mindfulness and executive function in children

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 435-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena M C Geronimi ◽  
Brenda Arellano ◽  
Janet Woodruff-Borden
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
The Core ◽  
Core Executive

Despite the important role of cognitions in mindful awareness, research on the cognitive processes underlying mindfulness in young populations is scarce. This study explores the association between the core executive functions (i.e. inhibition, working memory, and shifting) and mindfulness within the same model in a sample of children. Seventy-two parent–child dyads participated in the study. Difficulties with executive functioning and child mindfulness level were assessed. Inhibition, working memory, and shifting were significantly correlated with mindfulness. Furthermore, moderate to good fit was found in a model testing the association between mindfulness and the latent executive function variable composed by the three executive functions, and individual executive functions demonstrated significant loadings in relation to the latent variable. In a model relating mindfulness to each individual executive function, mindfulness was uniquely associated with inhibition, working memory, and shifting. The application of current theoretical models of mindfulness to child populations and clinical implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Relationships Between the Early Development of Drawing and Language: The Role of Executive Functions and Working Memory

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Panesi ◽  
Sergio Morra
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Representation Systems ◽  
Symbolic Resource ◽  
The Relationship

Background:Extensive research examined the development of both language and drawing, but the relationship between these symbolic representation systems is less investigated and controversial. Working memory and executive functions seem to be involved in the acquisition of both drawing and language, but how they are involved in the relation between language and drawing is still unclear.Objective:This article reviews the relevant literature and, as a synthesis, outlines a set of models that future research could use to specify the developmental relations between language, drawing, working memory, and executive functions.Drawing and Language:Four theoretical positions are discussed: (a) drawing and language emerge from the same general-domain symbolic resource; (b) drawing and language as two independent systems; (c) drawing as a form of language (d) drawing influenced by language.Executive Functions and Working Memory:The literature on the role of executive functions and working memory in the development of either drawing or language is rather fragmentary, but on the whole, it indicates that these domain-general cognitive resources and abilities are involved in supporting the development of these representation systems. An ongoing controversy on the structure of executive functions in early childhood adds further complexity to the debate on their role.Conclusions:A set of models is outlined that systematically embodies the different theoretical views regarding (a) executive function development and (b) the relations of drawing development with language, executive function, and working memory. Future research can benefit from explicit models of the causal relations between these aspects of cognitive development.

scholarly journals The Possibility of Using Role-Play to Train Executive Functions in Preschoolers

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-121
Author(s):  
A.N. Veraksa ◽  
O.V. Almazova ◽  
D.A. Bukhalenkova ◽  
M.N. Gavrilova
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Kindergarten Children ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Role Taking ◽  
Positive Effect

In modern pre-school education, more and more time is devoted to educational activities, while kindergarten children have very little time to play. However, play activity is extremely important for the development of inhibition in preschoolers. The article presents results of a study on the relationship between the child's acceptance of different roles (positive, wise or negative hero) and the success of executive function tasks implementation (cognitive flexibility and self-restraint). The study involved 81 children aged 5—6 years of Moscow kindergartens. Assessment of the level of executive functions development was carried out three times: pre-test (without a role), test (task execution in a role), post-test (without a role) using the same complex of methods. Based on the results of the pre-test, preschoolers were divided into 4 groups (3 experimental and one control). Ekvivalent groups formation was carried out basing on the actual level of executive functions development (low and high level) and on the number of boys and girls included in each of the groups. The study showed that the adoption of the role can have both positive and negative impacts on the success of executive function tasks implementation, depending on the type of task and the level of inhibition in preschoolers. The roles of the positive and wise characters had a positive effect in all three tasks, and the role of the negative character had of positive effect only in the tasks on behavioral and cognitive restraining control (in the task on cognitive flexibility it had a negative effect). In addition, role-taking in children with low levels of executive functions interfered with the behavioral control task, whereas in the cognitive control task, role-taking contributed to improved outcomes. Thus, accepting a role can help a preschooler to regulate their behavior, which confirms the role of play as the leading activity in preschool age.

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