This research studies the executive processes of youths under protective measures between 13 and 18years of age, as well as the emotional problems they have and the presence of behavioural problems, such as difficulties to control and direct attention, to control one’s own behaviour and inhibit inadequate or ineffective responses (hyperactivity-impulsiveness) and problems related to emotional regulation. In addition, we study the presence of significant differences according to the sex of the youths. We also analyse to what extent the difficulties in the executive processes are related to and can predict the emotional and behavioural problems. The instruments used were Stroop’s Colour and Word Test (Stroop), the Paths Test (TESen), and the System of Evaluation for Children and Adolescents (SENA). The results indicated that the youths had difficulties in such executive processes as execution, speed, and accuracy in carrying out tasks. Furthermore, they had emotion problems, amongst which the symptoms of anxiety are worthy of note; whilst attention deficit, hyperactivity-impulsiveness, and problems related to emotional regulation could also be observed. The data indicated greater difficulties in the executive processes for males than for females. There was a greater emotional symptomatology in the females, whilst there were greater deficits in attention and hyperactivity/impulsiveness in the males. Similarly, the deficits in the executive processes were related to and predicted emotional and behavioural problems. This research suggests the design of a structured programme focused on systematic training in real, daily situations, recommending the use of restorative techniques to work on the affected cognitive skills and techniques aimed at improving the youths’ emotion regulation.
Child abuse is an adverse life experience that has important physical and psychological implications. This work studies the executive functions of children who have suffered abuse and whether there are differences in the executive functioning due to the different types of child abuse. The participants included 74 children between seven and 16 years of age suffering maltreatment. The results indicate that those suffering any type of abuse have difficulties in executive performance for activities related to cognitive flexibility, behavioural organisation, and planning and attention. There is evidence of significant differences between victims who experience physical abuse and those who experience physical neglect. The victims of physical neglect have greater difficulties in mental flexibility, inhibition of responses and alternation. This research contributes to the knowledge base needed to propose interventions that are aimed at developing functional skills in the children and which would allow them to have effective executive functioning. Intervention could be aimed at working on their capacity to take initiative, organise and plan activities, establish goals, adapt to changes, be more thoughtful and be able to analyse situations before acting, and on their rigidity of thought. Key Practitioner Messages The research shows the presence of alterations in the executive functions of victims of child abuse. There is evidence of difficulties in mental flexibility, establishing goals and attention control. The study highlights that the greatest problems in executive functions are found in victims of physical neglect.
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