TY - JOUR
T1 - Longitudinal study of neuropsychological functioning and internalizing symptoms in youth with spina bifida
T2 - Social competence as a mediator
AU - Lennon, Jaclyn M.
AU - Klages, Kimberly L.
AU - Amaro, Christina M.
AU - Murray, Caitlin B.
AU - Holmbeck, Grayson N.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2015/4/1
Y1 - 2015/4/1
N2 - Objective To examine the longitudinal relationship between neuropsychological functioning and internalizing symptoms, as mediated by social competence in youth with spina bifida (SB). Methods A total of 111 youth (aged 8-15 years, M-11.37) with SB, their parents, and teachers completed questionnaires regarding attention, social competence, and internalizing symptoms. Youth also completed a battery of neuropsychological tests. Results An indirect-only mediation model revealed that social competence mediated the relation between neuropsychological functioning and subsequent levels of teacher-reported internalizing symptoms, but not parent or youth report of internalizing symptoms. Specifically, better neuropsychological functioning was associated with better social competence, which, in turn, predicted fewer internalizing symptoms 2 years later. Conclusions Youth with SB with lower levels of neuropsychological functioning may be at risk for poorer social competence and, as a result, greater internalizing symptoms. Interventions that promote social competence, while being sensitive to cognitive capacities, could potentially alleviate or prevent internalizing symptoms in these youth.
AB - Objective To examine the longitudinal relationship between neuropsychological functioning and internalizing symptoms, as mediated by social competence in youth with spina bifida (SB). Methods A total of 111 youth (aged 8-15 years, M-11.37) with SB, their parents, and teachers completed questionnaires regarding attention, social competence, and internalizing symptoms. Youth also completed a battery of neuropsychological tests. Results An indirect-only mediation model revealed that social competence mediated the relation between neuropsychological functioning and subsequent levels of teacher-reported internalizing symptoms, but not parent or youth report of internalizing symptoms. Specifically, better neuropsychological functioning was associated with better social competence, which, in turn, predicted fewer internalizing symptoms 2 years later. Conclusions Youth with SB with lower levels of neuropsychological functioning may be at risk for poorer social competence and, as a result, greater internalizing symptoms. Interventions that promote social competence, while being sensitive to cognitive capacities, could potentially alleviate or prevent internalizing symptoms in these youth.
KW - Internalizing symptoms
KW - Neuropsychological functioning
KW - Social competence
KW - Spina bifida
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U2 - 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu075
DO - 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu075
M3 - Article
C2 - 25244941
AN - SCOPUS:84942082645
VL - 40
SP - 336
EP - 348
JO - Journal of Pediatric Psychology
JF - Journal of Pediatric Psychology
SN - 0146-8693
IS - 3
ER -