Executive Dysfunction and Functional Impairment Associated With Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Emerging Adulthood

Wood, Whitney; Lewandowski, Lawrence J.; Lovett, Benjamin J.; Antshel, Kevin M.

doi:10.1177/1087054714560822

Cited by 48 publications

(124 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…A similar pattern was reported by a smaller number of studies that examined the relation between SCT and impairment in adults 16,19,43,46,51,52 . These studies found significant correlations between SCT and global impairment ( r =0.52), academic impairment ( r =0.45), and social impairment ( r =0.37), with correlations that were similar in magnitude to the results obtained in studies of children and adolescents.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 83%

“…In contrast, three studies with adults have shown SCT to be significantly correlated with executive functioning in daily life as assessed with self-report rating scales 16,43,52 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…SCT is also uniquely associated with lower self-reported self-esteem and emotion regulation difficulties when controlling for ADHD 16,21,43,51,52 . Although no study has examined SCT and sleep functioning in children, SCT symptoms remain associated with adults’ daytime sleepiness, poorer sleep quality, and nighttime sleep disturbance when controlling for ADHD symptoms 36,55,56 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Studies using self-report rating scales of daily life executive functioning have generally found SCT symptoms to remain significantly associated with poorer executive functioning, with effects strongest for the self-regulation of emotion and self-organization domains 16,43,52 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Internal, External, and Diagnostic Validity of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: A Meta-Analysis and Critical Review

Becker

Leopold

Burns

et al. 2016

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psych

274

519

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Objective To conduct the first meta-analysis evaluating the internal and external validity of the sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) construct as related to or distinct from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and as associated with functional impairment and neuropsychological functioning. Method Electronic databases were searched through September 2015 for studies examining the factor structure and/or correlates of SCT in children or adults. The search procedures identified 73 papers. The core SCT behaviors included across studies, as well as factor loadings and reliability estimates, were reviewed to evaluate internal validity. Pooled correlation effect sizes using random effects models were used to evaluate SCT in relation to external validity domains (i.e., demographics, other psychopathologies, functional impairment, and neuropsychological functioning). Results Strong support was found for the internal validity of the SCT construct. Specifically, across factor analytic studies including over 19,000 individuals, 13 SCT items loaded consistently on an SCT factor as opposed to an ADHD factor. Findings also support the reliability (i.e., internal consistency, test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability) of SCT. In terms of external validity, there is some indication that SCT may increase with age (r = 0.11) and be associated with lower socioeconomic status (r = 0.10). Modest (potentially negligible) support was found for SCT symptoms being higher in males than females in children (r = 0.05) but not adults. SCT is more strongly associated with ADHD inattention (r = 0.63 in children, r = 0.72 in adults) than with ADHD hyperactivity-impulsivity (r = 0.32 in children, r = 0.46 in adults), and it likewise appears that SCT is more strongly associated with internalizing symptoms than with externalizing symptoms. SCT is associated with significant global, social, and academic impairment (rs = 0.38–0.44). Effects for neuropsychological functioning are mixed, although there is initial support for SCT being associated with processing speed, sustained attention, and metacognitive deficits. Conclusion This meta-analytic review provides strong support for the internal validity of SCT and preliminary support for the external validity of SCT. In terms of diagnostic validity, there is not currently enough evidence to describe SCT in diagnostic terms. Key directions for future research are discussed, including evaluating the conceptualization of SCT as a transdiagnostic construct and the need for longitudinal research.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 83%

“…In contrast, three studies with adults have shown SCT to be significantly correlated with executive functioning in daily life as assessed with self-report rating scales 16,43,52 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Internal, External, and Diagnostic Validity of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: A Meta-Analysis and Critical Review

Becker

Leopold

Burns

et al. 2016

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psych

274

519

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Both studies showed that SCT contributed unique variance to EF subscales of Self-Organization/ Problem Solving and Emotional Self-Regulation on the Barkley Deficits in Executive Function Scale (BDEFS; Jarrett et al, 2014), whereas ADHD inattentive symptoms more strongly predicted self-management to time. SCT contributed to the Total EF score more than (Wood et al, 2014) or equally (Jarrett et al, 2014) with ADHD-I. Jarrett et al (2014) also tested participants on visual working memory, set-shifting, and attention and found no relationship between these neuropsychological test results and either SCT or ADHD symptoms.…”

Section: Sct In Adultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

RETRACTED: Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Internalizing Symptoms, and Executive Function in Adults With ADHD

Leikauf

Solanto

2017

J Atten Disord

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Objective: Symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) have been considered a potential subset of symptoms of ADHD, predominantly inattentive presentation (ADHD-I), or as a separate but related symptom dimension. We sought to characterize the relationships between SCT and both internalizing symptoms and executive functioning in adults with ADHD. Method: One hundred two adults diagnosed with ADHD completed clinical interviews and clinical rating scales. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to ascertain the independent predictive power of SCT symptoms for executive dysfunction after considering ADHD inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and internalizing symptoms. Results: SCT was correlated with ADHD inattentive symptoms and dimensional measures of depression and anxiety symptoms, but not with clinical diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder. SCT was independently predictive of executive function deficits over and above the effects of internalizing and ADHD symptoms. Conclusion: SCT in adults is associated with internalizing symptoms, ADHD inattentive symptoms, and, independently, with executive function deficits, particularly organization and problem solving. (J. of Att. Dis. XXXX; XX(X) XX-XX)

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Sluggish Cognitive Tempo is Associated With Poorer Study Skills, More Executive Functioning Deficits, and Greater Impairment in College Students

2016

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Objectives Few studies have examined sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) in college students even though extant research suggests a higher prevalence rate of SCT symptoms in this population compared to general adult or youth samples. The current study examined SCT symptoms in relation to two domains related to college student’s academic success, study skills and daily life executive functioning (EF), as well as specific domains of functional impairment. Method 158 undergraduate students (Mage=19.05 years; 64% female) completed measures of psychopathology symptoms, study skills, daily life EF, and functional impairment. Results After controlling for demographics and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression, SCT remained significantly associated with poorer study skills, greater daily life EF deficits, and global impairment, as well as greater functional impairment in the specific domains of educational activities, work, money/finances, managing chores and household tasks, community activities, and social situations with strangers and with friends. In many instances, ADHD inattentive symptoms were no longer significantly associated with study skills or impairment after SCT symptoms were added to the model. Conclusion SCT is associated with poorer college student functioning. Findings highlight the need for increased specificity in studies examining the relation between SCT and adjustment.

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Executive Dysfunction and Functional Impairment Associated With Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract: SCT is a clinical construct worthy of additional study, particularly among college students.

Cited by 48 publications

References 34 publications

The Internal, External, and Diagnostic Validity of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: A Meta-Analysis and Critical Review

The Internal, External, and Diagnostic Validity of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: A Meta-Analysis and Critical Review

RETRACTED: Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Internalizing Symptoms, and Executive Function in Adults With ADHD

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo is Associated With Poorer Study Skills, More Executive Functioning Deficits, and Greater Impairment in College Students

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