Relationship between age and psychopathological manifestations in school-age children with an intellectual disability : the role of executive functioning

Résumé 0

The risk of psychopathology among children with an intellectual disability (ID) is 3 to 4 times higher than their typical peers, with prevalence rates ranging from 35 to 40%. Psychopathological manifestations vary according to sex, age, and IQ of children with an ID. The present study explores the mediating role of executive functions, on the one hand, between age and psychopathological manifestations and, on the other hand, between IQ and psychopathological manifestations in school-age children with an ID. Participants were recruited in a rehabilitation center for people with intellectual disabilities (Quebec, Canada). Parents (106 mothers and 83 fathers) assessed their child (54 girls and 68 boys with an ID from 5 to 21 years old) by filling out the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive function (BRIEF) and the Developmental Behaviour Checklist – 2nd Edition – Primary Carer Version (DBC-P). Results showed that parents report a higher level of anxiety and more difficulty with emotional control for girls than boys. Moreover, IQ was not significantly correlated with BRIEF’s executive functioning subscales and indexes. Therefore, executive functions could not be considered as a mediating variable between IQ and psychopathological manifestations.