Relating Worry and Executive Functioning During Childhood: The Moderating Role of Age

Area of Science:

• Developmental psychology
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Childhood mental health

Background:

• The relationship between worry and executive functioning (EF) has not been extensively studied across childhood development.
• Understanding this link can clarify the cognitive underpinnings and developmental trajectory of childhood worry.
• Existing research suggests potential correlations between EF difficulties and child worry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between various executive functioning subscales and child worry.
• To explore age-related differences in the relationship between executive functioning and worry.
• To identify specific executive functioning facets that maintain their association with worry throughout childhood.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 130 children assessed difficulties with executive functioning and levels of child worry.
• Correlational analyses were used to examine the relationships between executive functioning subscales and worry.
• Statistical methods were employed to test for age-related interaction effects on these associations.

Main Results:

• All assessed executive functioning subscales showed a significant correlation with child worry.
• The association between worry and certain executive functioning facets diminished in older children.
• The relationships between worry and inhibition, shifting, and emotional control remained significant across age groups.

Conclusions:

• Worry is consistently associated with executive functioning difficulties in children.
• The nature of the association between worry and executive functioning evolves during childhood.
• Inhibition, shifting, and emotional control appear to be particularly relevant cognitive factors associated with worry across development.