ERIC Number: EJ1389054
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-2194
EISSN: EISSN-1538-4780
Compounding Effects of Domain-General Cognitive Weaknesses and Word Reading Difficulties on Anxiety Symptoms in Youth
Anderson, Nina J.; Rozenman, Michelle; Pennington, Bruce F.; Willcutt, Erik G.; McGrath, Lauren M.
Journal of Learning Disabilities, v56 n5 p343-358 Sep-Oct 2023
This study examined whether domain-general cognitive weaknesses in processing speed (PS) or executive functioning (EF) moderate the relation between word reading scores and anxiety such that lower word reading scores in combination with lower cognitive scores are associated with higher anxiety symptoms. The sample consisted of 755 youth ages 8-16 who were recruited as part of the Colorado Learning Disabilities Research Center twins study. Lower scores on PS (R[superscript 2] = 0.007, p = 0.014), EF (R[superscript 2] = 0.009, p = 0.006), and word reading (R[superscript 2] = 0.006-0.008, p = 0.010-0.032) were associated with higher anxiety scores. In addition, the word reading × cognitive interactions were significant such that lower scores on PS (R[superscript 2] = 0.010, p = 0.005) or EF (R[superscript 2] = 0.013, p = 0.010) "combined" with lower word reading were associated with higher-than-expected anxiety symptoms. Results suggest that weaknesses in PS, EF, and word reading are modestly associated with higher anxiety symptoms, and these anxiety symptoms may be compounded in youth with both PS or EF weaknesses and word reading difficulties. These findings can guide assessment approaches for identifying youth with word reading challenges who may be at increased risk for anxiety.
Descriptors: Cognitive Processes, Executive Function, Reading Skills, Anxiety, Children, Adolescents, Correlation, Reading Difficulties, Twins, Individual Characteristics, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Racial Differences, Ethnicity, Gender Differences
SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2993
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Colorado
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Childrens Manifest Anxiety Scale; Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
Grant or Contract Numbers: R15HD086662; R15HD108690; P50HD027802