Comparison of Executive Functions between Children with Externalized Behavioral Disorder and Normal Children Considering the Role of Gender

The aim of this study was to compare executive functions (response inhibition, sustained attention and working memory) between children with externalized behavioral disorder and normal children by considering the role of gender.

The method of this study was descriptive and causal-comparative. The statistical population included all primary school students (8 to 12 years old) in Tabriz in the 2018-2019 academic year. From this population, 100 children with externalized behavioral disorder (50 girls and 50 boys) and 100 normal children (50 girls and 50 boys) were selected by random multistage cluster sampling using the CSI-4 teacher form questionnaire. In order to measure executive functions, stroop test, continuous performance test, and Wechsler working memory test were used.

The multivariate analysis of variance results showed that executive functions in children with externalized behavioral disorders were different from normal children (p<0/05, F=62/43). Also executive functions were different between girls and boys (p<0/05, F=4/66).

Executive functions in children with externalized behavioral disorders were weaker than in normal children. There were no significant differences in response inhibition and sustained attention between girls and boys, but girls performed better than boys in working memory.