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. 2013 Jul;38(6):675-87.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jst007. Epub 2013 Feb 21.

Executive functions and parenting behaviors in association with medical adherence and autonomy among youth with spina bifida

Lauren K O'Hara  1 , Grayson N Holmbeck
Affiliations

Executive functions and parenting behaviors in association with medical adherence and autonomy among youth with spina bifida

Lauren K O'Hara et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to examine whether executive functions and parenting behaviors (acceptance, behavioral control, and psychological control) are associated with medical adherence and autonomy among preadolescents and adolescents with spina bifida (SB).

Methods: Questionnaire and observational data were collected from a sample of 8-15 year olds with SB (N = 140) and their mothers, fathers, and teachers. Youth also completed neuropsychological testing.

Results: Youth with SB demonstrated impairment on measures of executive functions, based on questionnaire and test data. Executive functions (questionnaire data only) and parenting behaviors were associated with medical adherence, but only executive functions (test data only) were associated with medical autonomy. Analyses also suggest that maternal and paternal behavioral control and paternal psychological control moderate relations between executive functions and adherence.

Conclusions: Interventions that target executive functions and parenting behaviors may facilitate positive health care behavior outcomes among youth with SB.

Keywords: adherence; attention; executive functions; medical autonomy; parenting behaviors; spina bifida.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Parent/Teacher report of youth executive dysfunction by maternal behavioral control two-way interaction for predicting adherence.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Parent/Teacher report of youth executive dysfunction by paternal psychological control two-way interaction for predicting adherence.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Commentary: adherence matters.
    Rapoff MA. Rapoff MA. J Pediatr Psychol. 2013 Jul;38(6):688-91. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jst045. Epub 2013 Jul 1. J Pediatr Psychol. 2013. PMID: 23818681 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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