Sex differences in self-regulatory executive functions are amplified by trait anxiety: The case of students at risk for academic failure

Abstract

Deficits in self-regulatory executive functions (SR-EF) are associated with emotional and behavioral problems. Men and women may differ along SR-EF dimensions and these differences may be influenced by trait anxiety. We used the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale, which incorporates various self-regulatory processes as measure of executive functions, to examine sex differences in SR-EF and the moderating effect of trait anxiety. The sample consisted of 347 undergraduate students between 17 and 30 years (M = 20.62; SD = 1.97), enrolled in support courses offered by the university's student learning services. Within dimensions of SR-EF, men demonstrated more problems in self-management to time, and self-motivation, while women demonstrated greater difficulties in the self-regulation of emotion. High trait anxiety was associated with reduced SR-EF in all participants. Sex and trait anxiety also had an interactive relationship with SR-EF: women with high trait anxiety had more difficulty in self-regulation of emotion compared to men with high trait anxiety. Women and men may have different SR-EF strategies which interact differently with high and low trait anxiety. Support programs can promote strategies to enhance self-regulation of emotion, especially female students or those who may be struggling academically and high, but sub-clinical levels of anxiety.