Executive Cognitive Functions and Impulsivity as Correlates of Risk Taking and Problem Behavior in Preadolescents

摘要

Early initiation of drugs and other risk behaviors portends dysfunctional developmental outcomes. For example, youth who initiate drug use prior to age 14 exhibit the highest rates of lifetime drug use and substance use disorder (SUD) (). Early users of drugs also tend to engage in other externalizing behaviors, such as aggressive behavior and rule breaking that place them at risk for poor developmental trajectories (; , ; ). Early intervention may be able to alter these trajectories toward a healthier course. We examine and test neuropsychological explanations for these early manifestations of problem behavior to help identify potential points of intervention.