Processing Executive Functions Research Articles

Relationships Among Sensory Processing Behaviors, Executive Function, and Temperament Characteristics for Effortful Control in School-Age Children

Abstract Date Presented 04/02/2022 A descriptive correlation study examined relationships among temperament effortful control, executive function, and sensory processing behavior. Outcomes from three standardized questionnaires regarding children between ages 7 year, 0 months, and 10 years, 11 months, indicated that statistically significant associations between typical sensory responses were related to abilities for executive function and effortful control, whereas sensory reactivity was related to decreased abilities for executive function and effortful control. Primary Author and Speaker: Rachel Diamant

Improving Cognitive Function of Older Adults With a History of Cancer Using Nonpharmacologic Interventions: A Systematic Review

Background: Cancer-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD) refers to changes in cognitive functioning that occurs as a result of cancer treatment including radiation, hormone therapy, surgery, and most often, chemotherapy. While various nonpharmacologic interventions for cognitive impairments have been studied in younger adults with a history of cancer and in older adult populations without cancer, limited information is available regarding nonpharmacologic interventions for older adults with a history of cancer. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the current nonpharmacologic interventions for older adults with CRCD. Data Sources: PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase. Study Selection: Articles meeting inclusion criteria were appraised by 2 reviewers independently. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment was used to assess study quality. Data Extraction: The search located 3441 articles; 4 met inclusion criteria. Data Synthesis: Nonpharmacologic interventions addressed the cognitive processes of executive function (n = 2), attention (n = 1), learning/memory (n = 2), perceptual-motor (n = 1), and global cognitive function (n = 3). Two studies used exercise-based interventions and 2 employed cognitive training interventions to address CRCD. Discussion and Limitations: Although improvements in CRCD were found, the interventions used and measure type suggested a high degree of variability challenging the ability to make recommendations for the use of these nonpharmacologic interventions without completion of further studies. Conclusions: As promising evidence has been reported of the effect of aerobic exercise and cognitive training interventions on CRCD in both young survivors of cancer and older adults without cancer, further study is needed to replicate those benefits in older adults with CRCD.

Emotional Intelligence, Executive Functions and Sensory Processing in Daily Life in Children Aged Between 8 to 11 Years: A Pilot Study

The relationship between emotional intelligence, executive functioning, and sensory processing has been independently studied. The present study investigated the relationship among executive functions, sensory processing and emotional intelligence in children aged between 8 and 11 years (n = 71). Executive functions and sensory processing were measured using EPYFEI and Clocks Subtest of NEPSY-II and emotional intelligence was measured with EQ:i-YV, Affect Recognition and Theory of Mind subtests of NEPSY-II. Children with lower emotional intelligence showed differences in sensory processing. The current research provides initial evidence of relations between emotional intelligence, stress management and sensory processing in children.

Executive function and episodic memory composite scores in older adults: relations with sex, mood, and subjective sleep quality

ABSTRACT Executive function and episodic memory processes are particularly vulnerable to aging. We sought to learn the degree to which sex, mood, and subjective sleep quality might be related to executive function and episodic memory composite scores in community-dwelling older adults. We replicated Glisky and colleagues’ two-factor (i.e., executive function [N=263] versus episodic memory [N=151]) structure, and found that it did not significantly differ between males and females. Moderation analyses revealed no interactions between sex, mood, and sleep in predicting either composite score. However, females significantly outperformed males on the episodic memory composite, and on all the individual tests comprising it. Ours is the first study to look at sex differences in this battery’s factor structure and its potential relations with mood and sleep. Future longitudinal studies in both healthy and clinical populations will help us further probe the possible influence of these variables on executive function and episodic memory in aging.

Effects of tai chi and Qigong on cognition in neurological disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesTo explore whether tai chi and Qigong can improve cognitive function in patients with neurological disorders. MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SinoMed Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) databases were searched from inception to December 24, 2021. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions criteria. ResultsThis study included 2,754 participants from 40 randomized controlled trials (RCT)s with low to high methodological quality. Analysis of active and non-active comparisons showed significant effects for tai chi/Qigong (P<0.05) on global cognitive function, executive function, memory, visuospatial ability, and cognitive processing speed. ConclusionsTai chi and Qigong were effective interventions to improve cognition in patients with Parkinson's disease, stroke, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and traumatic brain injury; however, no RCTs were performed for other neurological disorders.

What Skills Could Distinguish Developmental Dyscalculia and Typically Developing Children: Evidence From a 2-Year Longitudinal Screening

Developmental dyscalculia (DD) is a mathematics learning disorder that affects approximately 5% to 7% of the population. This study aimed to detect the underlying domain-specific and domain-general differences between DD and typically developing (TD) children. We recruited 9-year-old primary school children to form the DD group via a 2-year longitudinal screening process. In total, 75 DD children were screened from 1,657 children after the one-time screening, and 13 DD children were screened from 1,317 children through a consecutive 2-year longitudinal screening. In total, 13 experimental tasks were administered to assess their cognitive abilities to test the domain-specific magnitude representation hypothesis (including symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitude comparisons) and four alternative domain-general hypotheses (including working memory, executive function, attention, and visuospatial processing). The DD group had worse performance than the TD group on the number sense task, finger sense task, shifting task, and one-back task after both one-time and two-time screening. Logistic regressions further indicated the differences on the shifting task and the nonsymbolic magnitude comparison task could distinguish DD and TD children. Our findings suggest that domain-specific nonsymbolic magnitude representation and domain-general executive function both contribute to DD. Thus, both domain-specific and domain-general abilities will be necessary to investigate and to intervene in DD groups in the future.

Association between the 24-hour movement guidelines and executive function among Chinese children

ObjectiveChildhood is a critical period for brain development. However, it remains unknown whether the behaviors in a typical 24-h day are related to children’s executive function (EF). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the 24-h movement guidelines and children’s EF.MethodChildren aged 7–12 years (n = 376) were studied in 2017 in China. Physical activity (PA) was accelerometer-derived, while screen time (ST) and sleep duration were self-reported. Meeting the 24-h movement guidelines was defined as: 1) ≥ 60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA; 2) ≤ 2 h/day of recreational ST; 3) 9–11 h/night of sleep. EF was assessed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Number of completed categories (CC), shifting efficiency (SE), non-perseverative errors (NPE), and failure to maintain set (FMS) were used to measure four processes of EF, respectively represented global performance, cognitive flexibility, efficiency in rule discovery, and sustained attention. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were completed to explore the associations of meeting the PA, ST, and sleep duration recommendations with four processes of EF.ResultsStatistically significant positive associations were observed between the number of guidelines met, regarded as a continuous variable, with CC [β = 0.343 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.125, 0.561)] and SE [β = 4.028 (95% CI: 0.328, 7.727)], while number of guidelines met negatively related to NPE [β = − 4.377 (95% CI:-7.952,-0.802)]. Participants not meeting the two recommendations for PA and sleep duration had lower scores in CC [β = -0.636(95% CI:-1.125,-0.147)] and SE [β = -10.610 (95% CI:-18.794,-2.425)] compared with those meeting the two, suggesting inferior global performance and worse efficiency in rule discovery. However, ST recommendation had no significant association with any processes of EF.ConclusionMeeting more recommendations of the 24-h movement guidelines was associated with superior EF in children. Specifically, more PA and healthy sleep duration should be encouraged to promote children’s EF.

Microstructural alterations predict impaired bimanual control in Parkinson's disease.

Bimanual coordination is impaired in Parkinson’s disease affecting patients’ ability to perform activities of daily living and to maintain independence. Conveyance of information between cortical and subcortical areas is essential for bimanual coordination and relies on the integrity of cerebral microstructure. As pathological deposition of alpha-synuclein compromises microstructure in Parkinson’s disease, we investigated the relationship between microstructural integrity and bimanual coordination using diffusion-weighted MRI in 23 patients with Parkinson’s disease (mean age ± standard deviation: 56.0 ± 6.45 years; 8 female) and 26 older adults (mean age ± standard deviation: 58.5 ± 5.52 years). Whole-brain analysis revealed specific microstructural alterations between patients and healthy controls matched for age, sex, handedness, and cognitive status congruent with the literature and known Parkinson’s disease pathology. A general linear model revealed distinct microstructural alterations associated with poor bimanual coordination in Parkinson’s disease, corrected for multiple comparisons using a permutation-based approach. Integrating known functional topography, we conclude that distinct changes in microstructure cause an impediment of structures involved in attention, working memory, executive function, motor planning, motor control, and visual processing contributing to impaired bimanual coordination in Parkinson’s disease.

Cognitive Dysfunction in Repeat Expansion Diseases: A Review.

With the development of the sequencing technique, more than 40 repeat expansion diseases (REDs) have been identified during the past two decades. Moreover, the clinical features of these diseases show some commonality, and the nervous system, especially the cognitive function was affected in part by these diseases. However, the specific cognitive domains impaired in different diseases were inconsistent. Here, we survey literature on the cognitive consequences of the following disorders presenting cognitive dysfunction and summarizing the pathogenic genes, epidemiology, and different domains affected by these diseases. We found that the cognitive domains affected in neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) were widespread including the executive function, memory, information processing speed, attention, visuospatial function, and language. Patients with C9ORF72-frontotemporal dementia (FTD) showed impairment in executive function, memory, language, and visuospatial function. While in Huntington's disease (HD), the executive function, memory, and information processing speed were affected, in the fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), executive function, memory, information processing speed, and attention were impaired. Moreover, the spinocerebellar ataxias showed broad damage in almost all the cognitive domains except for the relatively intact language ability. Some other diseases with relatively rare clinical data also indicated cognitive dysfunction, such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME), Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), Huntington disease like-2 (HDL2), and cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS). We drew a cognitive function landscape of the related REDs that might provide an aspect for differential diagnosis through cognitive domains and effective non-specific interventions for these diseases.

Research Progress on the Brain Effect Mechanism of Tai Chi Chuan Training

As a traditional exercise rehabilitation therapy in China, Tai Chi Chuan can improve the excitability of the nervous system and the ability to regulate brain functional activities. This paper summarizes the research from domestic and foreign of the brain effect mechanism of Tai Chi Chuan training, and mainly explores the effects of Tai Chi Chuan on the brainwave signal, electroencephalogram (EEG) signal (P300/N400, etc.), cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood oxygen and brain structure, brain structure and functional network using various technologies such as electroencephalo-graphy, ultrasound doppler detection, functional near infrared, and magnetic resonance imaging, which found that Tai Chi Chuan modulate different signal characteristics in multiple brain areas, providing preliminary evidence for the brain effect mechanism. Tai Chi Chuan training contributes to the improvement of attention, and the control of attention during training may be related to the regulation of α wave rhythm and activity of cerebral cortex. After Tai Chi Chuan training, the latency of P300 and N400 is shortened, and the ability of resource allocation, information processing and word processing is improved, so as to improve the capacity and resources of brain perception information. Tai Chi Chuan can improve the neuroendocrine regulation function, promote the activity of metabolic enzymes, reduce blood lipids and improve cerebral blood flow velocity. Cross-sectional studies of Tai Chi Chuan based on resting state functional MRI found that Tai Chi Chuan modulated the the brain network which is significantly associated with the training experience and the protection of cognitive function. Longitudinal studies found that Tai Chi Chuan improved the cognitive function related to the regulation of the brain structure and function of cognitive neural circuits. The study of task-state functional MRI showed that Tai Chi Chuan had a regulatory effect on the brain regions and networks which was related to memory and executive function processing. In addition, other studies showed that long-term Tai Chi Chuan training not only had plasticity changes on brain functional network, but also had plasticity changes on the volume of brain gray matter and white matter morphology. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, Tai Chi Chuan training was found improving executive function to be associated with the prefrontal lobe regulation. However, there are still some limitations in the present researches such as the small sample size, monomodal brain imaging, the lack of longitudinal/long-term follow-up study and lack of dose-effect relationship study, etc. Tai Chi Chuan has obtained preliminary results in the research of brain plasticity, which provides effective reference for subsequent research. In future research, multi-center, large sample and multi-modal combination will be needed to verify the current research results and further explore the brain effect related mechanisms of Tai Chi Chuan.

Spoken word recognition by bilingual and monolingual children

Previous research has demonstrated a bilingual advantage in the domains of executive function and social processing, including a type of social processing tied to speech perception—listening to differences between speakers’ voices. Despite numerous studies showing an advantage, the existence of such an advantage has also been widely challenged. In the current study, we test whether monolingual and bilingual children differ in spoken word recognition for speech produced by foreign-accented speakers, as it may be the case that bilingual children have more experience with foreign-accented speech. Children completed a spoken word recognition task in which they heard high and low familiarity words (e.g., “hair” vs “loom”) mixed with noise. Logistic mixed-effects models revealed the expected effects of word familiarity (high &amp;gt; low) and of age (older &amp;gt; younger). No effect of bilingual status or of language ability were found. Although the findings do not demonstrate a benefit of bilingualism, we argue that it is important to report these findings given the controversy surrounding other bilingual advantage studies. [Work supported by NIDCD 1R03DC009851.]

Cognitive dysfunction associated with COVID-19: A comprehensive neuropsychological study

ObjectiveRecent evidence suggests that patients suffering post-acute COVID syndrome frequently report cognitive complaints, but their characteristics and pathophysiology are unknown. This study aims to determine the characteristics of cognitive dysfunction in patients reporting cognitive complaints after COVID-19 and to evaluate the correlation between cognitive function and anxiety, depression, sleep, and olfactory function. MethodsCross-sectional study involving 50 patients with COVID-19 reporting cognitive complaints 9.12 ± 3.46 months after the acute infection. Patients were evaluated with a comprehensive neuropsychological protocol, and scales of fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep and an olfactory test. Normative data and an age- and education matched healthy control group were used for comparison. ResultsCOVID-19 patients showed a diminished performance on several tests evaluating attention and executive function, with alterations in processing speed, divided attention, selective attention, visual vigilance, intrinsic alertness, working memory, and inhibition; episodic memory; and visuospatial processing. Cognitive performance was correlated with olfactory dysfunction, and sleep quality and anxiety to a lesser extent, but not depression. ConclusionsPatients with COVID-19 reporting cognitive symptoms showed a reduced cognitive performance, especially in the attention-concentration and executive functioning, episodic memory, and visuospatial processing domains. Future studies are necessary to disentangle the specific mechanisms associated with COVID-19 cognitive dysfunction.

Prefrontal cortex hemodynamic response to acute high intensity intermittent exercise during executive function processing

We investigated prefrontal cortex (PFC) hemodynamic response, through functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during executive function (EF) processing in response to acute high intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) in young adults. We also assessed the associated sex differences in the cognitive scores and related PFC hemodynamic functions in response to HIIE. 49 young healthy adult participants (32 women, 17 men) were randomly assigned to either control or HIIE intervention groups. HIIE group participants performed 4 × 4 minutes of HIIE on cycle ergometer with 3 minutes of active recovery between the bouts; control group relaxed for the time equivalent to intervention. fNIRS data was collected during the performance of the EF tests including Color Word Stroop Test (CWST) and Trail Making Test (TMT) in pre and post sessions in both the groups. Results indicated a significant change in the hemodynamic response in the form of increased oxygenated and decreased deoxygenated hemoglobin in the PFC areas specific to the EF tasks, with improved CWST and TMT scores in response to HIIE intervention. PFC activation was different in men and women in response to HIIE, however similar scores of task performance were observed in men and women during the performance of executive functions in response to HIIE. The study concludes that an acute HIIE session improves executive function which is associated with an increase activation of PFC. Sex differences exist in the activation of PFC in response to HIIE during EF processing. Our study adds to the current evidence regarding exercise and cognition.

Effect of cognitive reserve on cognitive function in Parkinson's disease.

Previous studies showed inconsistent results for the correlation between cognitive reserve (CR) and cognitive function in Parkinson's disease (PD). Additionally, conflicting results were obtained for the association between CR and risk of longitudinal cognitive decline, longitudinal progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and longitudinal progression to dementia in PD patients. Thus, a meta-analysis is essential to summary these inconsistent results. Articles published before November 2021 were searched in databases as follows: PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. We computed Fisher's z score and standard error (SE) of each transformation value of correlation coefficient for the correlation between educational level and cognitive function. Additionally, odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed as effect sizes for the correlation between educational level and risk of longitudinal progression to MCI. The present study showed that higher educational levels were related to better general cognitive function, executive function, memory, and information processing speed in PD patients, whereas no significant association was showed between educational levels and visuospatial function, language in PD patients. Additionally, included studies reported a negative association between educational level and risk of longitudinal progression to MCI in PD patients. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that higher CR might be correlated with better cognitive function and lower risk of longitudinal progression to MCI in PD. In addition, large-scale prospective studies are necessary to explore the effect of CR on cognitive function in PD.

Consequences of Inadequate Caregiving for Children's Attachment, Neurobiological Development, and Adaptive Functioning.

Given that human infants are almost fully reliant on caregivers for survival, the presence of parents who provide sensitive, responsive care support infants and young children in developing the foundation for optimal biological functioning. Conversely, when parents are unavailable or insensitive, there are consequences for infants' and children's attachment and neurobiological development. In this paper, we describe effects of inadequate parenting on children's neurobiological and behavioral development, with a focus on developing capacities for executive functioning, emotion regulation, and other important cognitive-affective processes. Most prior research has examined correlational associations among these constructs. Given that interventions tested through randomized clinical trials allow for causal inferences, we review longitudinal intervention effects on children's biobehavioral and cognitive-affective outcomes. In particular, we provide an overview of the Bucharest Early Intervention Project, a study in which children were randomized to continue in orphanage care (typically the most extreme condition of privation) or were placed into the homes of trained, supported foster parents. We also discuss findings regarding Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up, an intervention enhancing sensitivity among high-risk parents. We conclude by suggesting future directions for research in this area.

The Effects of Cognitive-Affective Switching With Unpredictable Cues in Adults and Adolescents and Their Relation to "Cool" Executive Functioning and Emotion Regulation.

The impact of emotion on executive functioning is gaining interest. It has led to the differentiation of “cool” Executive Functioning (EF) processes, such as cognitive flexibility, and “hot” EF processes, such as affective flexibility. But how does affective flexibility, the ability to switch between cognitive and affective information, vary as a function of age and sex? How does this construct relate to “cool” executive functioning and cognitive-emotion regulation processes? In this study, 266 participants, including 91 adolescents (M = 16.08, SD = 1.42 years old) and 175 adults (M = 25.69, SD = 2.17 years old), completed a cognitive–affective switching task with specific (as opposed to general) unpredictable switches, as well as measures of inhibition, attention, and cognitive-emotion coping strategies. We expected cognitive to affective switching to be more costly than affective to cognitive switching in females versus males, as well as higher switch costs in adolescents. Using linear mixed modelling, we analysed the effect of age, sex, and types of switching on reaction time. Results show that adolescents are slower switchers than adults, and demonstrate that females, although faster switchers than males, are slower when switching from cognitive to affective content than when they are switching from affective to cognitive content. Multiple regression analyses revealed age-specific associations between cognitive-affective switching and inhibition. These results converge with reported developmental and gender specificities in EF and emotion processing, respectively. Additionally, affective flexibility could relate to differences in vigilance and inhibition.

Integrating Cognitive Dysfunction Accommodation Strategies Into Behavioral Interventions for Persons on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder.

BackgroundCognitive dysfunction is disproportionately prevalent among persons with opioid use disorder (OUD). Specific domains of cognitive dysfunction (attention, executive functioning, memory, and information processing) may significantly impede treatment outcomes among patients on medication for OUD (MOUD). This limits patient's ability to learn, retain, and apply information conveyed in behavioral intervention sessions. Evidence-based accommodation strategies have been integrated into behavioral interventions for other patient populations with similar cognitive profiles as persons with OUD; however, the feasibility and efficacy of these strategies have not yet been tested among patients on MOUD in a drug treatment setting.MethodsWe conducted a series of focus groups with 25 key informants (10 drug treatment providers and 15 patients on MOUD) in a drug treatment program in New Haven, CT. Using an inductive approach, we examined how cognitive dysfunction impedes participant's ability to retain, recall, and utilize HIV prevention information in the context of drug treatment.ResultsTwo main themes capture the overall responses of the key informants: (1) cognitive dysfunction issues and (2) accommodation strategy suggestions. Subthemes of accommodation strategies involved suggestions about particular evidence-based strategies that should be integrated into behavioral interventions for persons on MOUD. Specific accommodation strategies included: use of a written agenda, mindfulness meditation, multi-modal presentation of information, hands-on demonstrations, and a formal closure/summary of sessions.ConclusionsAccommodation strategies to compensate for cognitive dysfunction were endorsed by both treatment providers and patients on MOUD. These accommodation strategies have the potential to enhance the efficacy of behavioral interventions to reduce HIV transmission among persons on MOUD as well as addiction severity, and overdose.

Effects of Perinatal Stroke on Executive Functioning and Mathematics Performance in Children.

The goal of this study was to examine executive functioning, math performance, and visuospatial processing skills of children with perinatal stroke, which have not been well explored in this population. Participants included 18 children with perinatal stroke (aged 6-16 years old) and their primary caregiver. Each child completed standardized tests of executive function and visuospatial processing skills, Intelligence Quotient (IQ), and math achievement. Performance on executive function, IQ, math, and visuospatial processing tests was significantly lower in children with perinatal stroke when compared to normative means. Poorer inhibitory control was associated with worse math performance. Increased age at testing was associated with better performance on visuospatial ability (using standardized scores), and females performed better than males on a test of inhibitory control. Children with perinatal stroke displayed a range of neuropsychological impairments, and difficulties with executive function (inhibition) may contribute to math difficulties in this population.

Multidomain Cognitive Impairment in Children With Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome.

Although prompt and suitable treatment of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) leads to an excellent prognosis and can prevent optic nerve atrophy, adults show long-lasting neurocognitive deficits even with prompt treatment. The purpose of our study was to evaluate cognitive outcomes in pediatric patients with PTCS. We performed a prospective study on children diagnosed with PTCS and a healthy control group. Children with pre-existing neurological conditions or psychiatric drug use were excluded. Both groups underwent a neurocognitive evaluation, using the NeuroTrax computerized battery of tests. The PTCS group were tested 3 months after the initial diagnosis. We evaluated 82 children (49 females [60%], 6.5-16 years old, mean age 13.3), including 26 diagnosed with idiopathic PTC and 56 controls. Global cognitive score (P < 0.001), verbal memory (P < 0.001), executive function (P < 0.001), attention (P< 0.003), and information processing speed (P < 0.004) were all significantly lower in the PTCS group. No differences were found between children currently being treated and those whose symptoms had resolved and treatment was stopped. Children with PTCS experience comprehensive cognitive decline that persists after the resolution of the symptoms and treatment.

Executive function in kindergarten and development of behavioral competence: The moderating role of positive parenting practices

The present study used data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Cohort of 2011 (N = 15,827; 51.1% male; 48.4% White, 13.5% Black/African-American, 24.3% Hispanic/Latinx, 7.5% Asian, and 6.3% other ethnicity) to examine the unique contribution of specific executive function processes (working memory and cognitive flexibility) at kindergarten entry on externalizing and internalizing behavior problems in spring of kindergarten, after controlling for fall behavior problems and demographic covariates. Due to the transition to elementary school being a critical identification and prevention period, we also focused on examining the moderating role of specific positive parenting practices (i.e., cognitive stimulation, warmth, and behavior management) on associations between child executive function processes and behavioral functioning. Results indicated working memory was negatively associated with parent-reported externalizing and teacher-rated internalizing behavior problems. Further, the association between working memory and parent-rated externalizing problems was moderated by cognitive stimulation, whereas the association between parent-rated internalizing problems was moderated by behavior management. Cognitive flexibility did not have any significant associations. We discuss implications for research and practice on how parenting practices may be leveraged to improve child outcomes.