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Diercks CM, Gunther KE, Teti DM, Lunkenheimer E. Ecological validity in measuring parents' executive function. CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES 2022; 16:208-214. [PMID: 36590076 PMCID: PMC9799100 DOI: 10.1111/cdep.12464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Parents' executive functions (EFs), or cognitive skills facilitating thought and behavior management, are meaningful correlates of parenting behavior. EFs are theorized to support parents in inhibiting reactive responses, managing information during parent-child interactions, and adapting to novel developmental demands. Less effective EFs associate with risk for harsh parenting and physical abuse, underscoring the importance of research on parental EFs in promoting healthy child development. Yet, despite the strong theory, findings are mixed and reveal only modest effect sizes in relations between EFs and parenting. One explanation may be a lack of ecological validity in measuring parental EFs. Traditional measures of adult EFs have been used, but these are decontextualized and do not reflect the cognitively and emotionally demanding nature of parenting. In this article, we argue that new and adapted measures are needed. We discuss the role of EFs in parenting, review measurement, and offer suggestions for improvements in ecological validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M. Diercks
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kelley E. Gunther
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Douglas M. Teti
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Erika Lunkenheimer
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Weitlauf AS, Broderick N, Alacia Stainbrook J, Slaughter JC, Taylor JL, Herrington CG, Nicholson AG, Santulli M, Dorris K, Garrett LJ, Hopton M, Kinsman A, Morton M, Vogel A, Dykens EM, Pablo Juárez A, Warren ZE. A Longitudinal RCT of P-ESDM With and Without Parental Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: Impact on Child Outcomes. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 52:5403-5413. [PMID: 35040001 PMCID: PMC9289080 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05399-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This randomized controlled trial (NCT03889821) examined Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in conjunction with the Parent-implemented Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM). A previous report described improved metrics of parental distress (Weitlauf et al. in Pediatrics 145(Supplement 1):S81-S92, 2020). This manuscript examines child outcomes. 63 children with ASD (< 36 months) and their parents received 12 P-ESDM sessions. Half of parents also received MBSR. Longitudinal examination of whole sample means revealed modest improvements in autism severity, cognitive, and adaptive skills. There was not a significant time × group interaction for children whose parents received MBSR. Future work should examine more proximal markers of child or dyadic change to enhance understanding of the impact of providing direct treatment for parents as part of early intervention initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S Weitlauf
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Neill Broderick
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - J Alacia Stainbrook
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - James C Slaughter
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA
| | - Julie Lounds Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Amy G Nicholson
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Madeline Santulli
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kristin Dorris
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Michelle Hopton
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Amy Kinsman
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mary Morton
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ashley Vogel
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Elisabeth M Dykens
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - A Pablo Juárez
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Special Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Zachary E Warren
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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Clock Genes Profiles as Diagnostic Tool in (Childhood) ADHD—A Pilot Study. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12091198. [PMID: 36138934 PMCID: PMC9497370 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a very common disorder in children and adults. A connection with sleep disorders, and above all, disorders of the circadian rhythm are the subject of research and debate. The circadian system can be represented on different levels. There have been a variety of studies examining 24-h rhythms at the behavioral and endocrine level. At the molecular level, these rhythms are based on a series of feedback loops of core clock genes and proteins. In this paper, we compared the circadian rhythms at the behavioral, endocrine, and molecular levels between children with ADHD and age- and BMI-matched controls, complementing the previous data in adults. In a minimally invasive setting, sleep was assessed via a questionnaire, actigraphy was used to determine the motor activity and light exposure, saliva samples were taken to assess the 24-h profiles of cortisol and melatonin, and buccal mucosa swaps were taken to assess the expression of the clock genes BMAL1 and PER2. We found significant group differences in sleep onset and sleep duration, cortisol secretion profiles, and in the expression of both clock genes. Our data suggest that the analysis of circadian molecular rhythms may provide a new approach for diagnosing ADHD in children and adults.
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