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. 2018 Oct;24(9):905-916.
doi: 10.1017/S1355617718000784.

Childhood Executive Functioning Predicts Young Adult Outcomes in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Avery B Albert  1 , Tamara Abu-Ramadan  1 , Wendy R Kates  2 , Wanda Fremont  2 , Kevin M Antshel  1
Affiliations

Childhood Executive Functioning Predicts Young Adult Outcomes in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Avery B Albert et al. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2018 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: While individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) are at increased risk for a variety of functional impairments and psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, not all individuals with 22q11DS experience negative outcomes. Efforts to further understand which childhood variables best predict adult functional outcomes are needed, especially those that investigate childhood executive functioning abilities.

Methods: This longitudinal study followed 63 individuals with 22q11DS and 43 control participants over 9 years. Childhood executive functioning ability was assessed using both rater-based and performance-based measures and tested as predictors of young adult outcomes.

Results: Childhood global executive functioning abilities and parent report of child executive functioning abilities were the most consistent predictors of young adult outcomes. The study group moderated the relationship between child executive functioning and young adult outcomes for several outcomes such that the relationships were stronger in the 22q11DS sample.

Conclusion: Rater-based and performance-based measures of childhood executive functioning abilities predicted young adult outcomes in individuals with and without 22q11DS. Executive functioning could be a valuable target for treatment in children with 22q11DS for improving not only childhood functioning but also adult outcomes. (JINS, 2018, 24, 905-916).

Keywords: 22q11.2 Deletion syndrome; Adaptive functioning; Developmental disorder; Executive functioning; Longitudinal; Psychosis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study Group as a Moderator of the Relationship between Factor 4 – Visual Working Memory and Young Adult Emotional Intelligence Note. EQ = Emotional Intelligence.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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