TY - JOUR A1 - Festman, Julia A1 - Muente, Thomas F. T1 - Cognitive control in Russian-German bilinguals JF - Frontiers in psychology N2 - Bilingual speakers are faced with the problem to keep their languages apart, but do so with interindividually varying success. Cognitive control abilities might be an important factor to explain such interindividual differences. Here we compare two late, balanced and highly proficient bilingual groups (mean age 24 years, L1 Russian, L2 German) which were established according to their language control abilities on a bilingual picture-naming task. One group had difficulties to remain in the instructed target language and switched unintentionally to the non-target language ("switchers"), whereas the other group rarely switched unintentionally ("non-switchers"). This group-specific behavior could not be explained by language background, socio-cultural, or demographic variables. Rather, the non-switchers also demonstrated a faster and better performance on four cognitive control tests (Tower of Hanoi, Ruff Figural Fluency Test, Divided Attention, Go/Nogo). Here, we focus on two additional executive function tasks, theWisconsin Card SortingTest (WCST) and the Flanker task requiring conflict monitoring and conflict resolution. Non-switchers outperformed switchers with regard to speed and accuracy, and were better at finding and applying the correct rules in the WCST. Similarly, in the Flanker task non-switchers performed faster and better on conflict trials and had a higher correction rate following an error. Event-related potential recordings furthermore revealed a smaller error-related negativity in the non-switchers, taken as evidence for a more efficient self-monitoring system. We conclude that bilingual language performance, in particular switching behavior, is related to performance on cognitive control tasks. Better cognitive control, including conflict monitoring, results in decreased unintentional switching. KW - Flanker task KW - ERN KW - Wisconsin Card Sorting Test KW - conflict monitoring KW - inhibition KW - late bilinguals KW - cognitive control KW - executive function Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00115 SN - 1664-1078 VL - 3 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - THES A1 - Holl, Anna Katharina T1 - Deficits in theory of mind and executive function as risk factors for conduct problems from middle childhood to early adolescence – a longitudinal perspective T1 - Defizite in Theory of Mind und exekutiven Funktionen als Risikofaktoren für Verhaltensprobleme von der mittleren Kindheit bis zur frühen Adoleszenz - eine längsschnittliche Perspektive N2 - In this thesis, deficits in theory of mind (ToM) and executive function (EF) were examined in tandem and separately as risk factors for conduct problems, including different forms and functions of aggressive behavior. All three reported studies and the additional analyses were based on a large community sample of N = 1,657 children, including three waves of a longitudinal study covering middle childhood and the transition to early adolescence (range 6 to 13 years) over a total of about three years. All data were analyzed with structural equation modeling. Altogether, the results of all the conducted studies in this thesis extend previous research and confirm the propositions of the SIP model (Crick & Dodge, 1994) and of the amygdala theory of violent behavior (e.g., Blair et al., 2014) besides other accounts. Considering the three main research questions, the results of the thesis suggest first that deficits in ToM are a risk factor for relational and physical aggression from a mean age of 8 to 11 years under the control of stable between-person differences in aggression. In addition, earlier relationally aggressive behavior predicts later deficits in ToM in this age range, which confirms transactional relations between deficits in ToM and aggressive behavior in children (Crick & Dodge, 1994). Further, deficits in ToM seem to be a risk factor for parent-rated conduct problems cross-sectionally in an age range from 9 to 13 years. Second, deficits in cool EF are a risk factor for later physical, relational, and reactive aggression but not for proactive aggression over a course of three years from middle childhood to early adolescence. Habitual anger seems to mediate the relation between cool EF and physical, and as a trend also relational, aggression. Deficits in emotional and inhibitory control and planning have a direct effect on the individual level of conduct problems under the control of interindividual differences in conduct problems at a mean age of 8 years, but not on the trajectory of conduct problems over the course from age 8 to 11. Third, when deficits in cool EF and ToM are studied in tandem cross-sectionally at the transition from middle childhood to early adolescence, deficits in cool EF seem to play only an indirect role through deficits in ToM as a risk factor for conduct problems. Finally, all results hold equal for females and males in the conducted studies. The results of this thesis emphasize the need to intervene in the transactional processes between deficits in ToM and in EF and conduct problems, including different forms and functions of aggression, particularly in the socially sensible period from middle and late childhood to early adolescence. N2 - In dieser Arbeit wurden Defizite in Theory of Mind (ToM) und Exekutiven Funktionen (EF) als Risikofaktoren für Verhaltensprobleme, einschließlich verschiedener Formen und Funktionen aggressiven Verhaltens, gemeinsam und getrennt untersucht. Als theoretischer Hintergrund diente neben anderen Theorien die SIP-Theorie von Crick und Dodge (1994). Alle drei berichteten Studien und die zusätzlichen Analysen basierten auf einer großen Bevölkerungsstichprobe von N = 1.657 Kindern, und schlossen drei Wellen einer Längsschnittstudie ein, die einen Zeitraum von insgesamt etwa drei Jahren von der mittleren Kindheit bis zum Übergang zur frühen Adoleszenz (6 bis 13 Jahre) abdeckte. Alle Daten wurden mit Strukturgleichungsmodellen analysiert. Zusammenfassend bestätigen und erweitern die Ergebnisse der durchgeführten Studien bisherige Forschung und bestätigen die Annahmen des SIP-Modells (Crick & Dodge, 1994) und der Amygdala-Theorie gewaltsamen Verhaltens (z.B., Blair et al., 2014), neben anderen Theorien. In Bezug auf die drei hauptsächlichen Forschungsfragen deuten die Ergebnisse der Studien erstens darauf hin, dass Defizite in ToM Risikofaktoren für relationale und physische Aggression von einem durchschnittlichen Alter von 8 bis 11 Jahren sind unter der Kontrolle von stabilen interindividuellen Unterschieden in Aggression. Darüber hinaus sagt früheres relational aggressives Verhalten spätere Defizite in ToM in diesem Altersbereich voraus, was die transaktionalen Beziehungen zwischen Defiziten in ToM und aggressivem Verhalten bei Kindern bestätigt (Crick & Dodge, 1994). Weiterhin zeigen sich Defizite in ToM als Risikofaktor für durch die Eltern eingeschätzte Verhaltensprobleme in einem Altersbereich von 9 bis 13 Jahren im Querschnitt. Zweitens sind Defizite in kalten EF ein Risikofaktor für spätere physische, relationale und reaktive Aggression, nicht aber für proaktive Aggression, über einen Zeitraum von drei Jahren von der mittleren Kindheit bis zur frühen Adoleszenz. Habitueller Ärger scheint die Beziehung zwischen kalten EF und phyischer, und als Trend auch relationaler Aggression zu vermitteln. Defizite in der emotionalen und inhibitorischen Kontrolle und Planung wirken sich unter der Kontrolle interindividueller Unterschiede in Verhaltensproblemen im durchschnittlichen Alter von 8 Jahren direkt auf die individuelle Höhe der Verhaltensprobleme aus, nicht aber auf den Verlauf der Verhaltensprobleme im Zeitraum von 8 bis 11 Jahren. Drittens, wenn Defizite in kalten EF und ToM am Übergang von der mittleren Kindheit zur frühen Adoleszenz gemeinsam im Querschnitt untersucht werden, scheinen Defizite in kalten EF nur eine indirekte Rolle vermittelt durch Defizite in ToM als Risikofaktor für Verhaltensprobleme zu spielen. Schließlich gelten alle Ergebnisse in den durchgeführten Studien für Mädchen und Jungen gleichermaßen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit betonen die Notwendigkeit, in die transaktionalen Prozesse zwischen Defiziten in ToM und EF und Verhaltensproblemen einzugreifen, einschließlich verschiedener Formen und Funktionen von Aggression, v.a. in der sozial sensiblen Altersspanne von der mittleren und späten Kindheit bis zur frühen Adoleszenz. KW - Theory of Mind KW - executive function KW - conduct problems KW - middle childhood KW - early adolescence KW - Theory of Mind KW - exekutive Funktionen KW - Verhaltensprobleme KW - mittlere Kindheit KW - frühe Adoleszenz Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-459915 ER - TY - THES A1 - Lensing, Johanna Nele T1 - Executive Functions in Middle Childhood BT - Developmental Trajectories and Associations with Body Weight N2 - This doctoral dissertation aims at elucidating the development of hot and cool executive functions in middle childhood and at gaining insight about their role in childhood overweight. The dissertation is based on three empirical studies which have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Data from a large 3-year longitudinal study (the “PIER-study”) was used. The findings presented in the dissertation demonstrated that both hot and cool EF abilities increase during middle childhood. They also supported the notion that hot and cool EF facets are distinguishable from each other in middle childhood, that they have distinct developmental trajectories, and different predictors. Evidence was found for associations of hot and cool EF with body weight in middle childhood, which is in line with the notion that they might play a role in the self-regulation of eating and the multifactorial etiology of childhood overweight. KW - self-regulation KW - executive function KW - overweight KW - middle childhood Y1 - 2018 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Gschwind, Yves J. A1 - Bridenbaugh, Stephanie A. A1 - Reinhard, Sarah A1 - Granacher, Urs A1 - Monsch, Andreas U. A1 - Kressig, Reto W. T1 - Ginkgo biloba special extract LI 1370 improves dual-task walking in patients with MCI BT - a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Background In patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), gait instability, particularly in dual-task situations, has been associated with impaired executive function and an increased fall risk. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) could be an effective mean to improve gait stability. Aims This study investigated the effect of GBE on spatiotemporal gait parameters of MCI patients while walking under single and dual-task conditions. Methods Fifty patients aged 50-85 years with MCI and associated dual-task-related gait impairment participated in this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory phase IV drug trial. Intervention group (IG) patients received GBE (Symfona (R) forte 120 mg) twice-daily for 6 months while control group (CG) patients received placebo capsules. A 6-month open-label phase with identical GBE dosage followed. Gait was quantified at months 0, 3, 6 and 12. Results After 6 months, dual-task-related cadence increased in the IG compared to the CG (p = 0.019, d = 0.71). No significant changes, but GBE-associated numerical non-significant trends were found after 6-month treatment for dual-task-related gait velocity and stride time variability. Discussion Findings suggest that 120 mg of GBE twice-daily for at least 6 months may improve dual-task-related gait performance in patients with MCI. Conclusions The observed gait improvements add to the understanding of the self-reported unspecified improvements among MCI patients when treated with standardised GBE. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 870 KW - gait KW - walking KW - executive function KW - mild cognitive impairment KW - cognitive enhancer KW - Ginkgo biloba extract Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-434796 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 870 SP - 609 EP - 619 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Rohlf, Helena L. A1 - Holl, Anna K. A1 - Kirsch, Fabian A1 - Krahé, Barbara A1 - Elsner, Birgit T1 - Longitudinal Links between Executive Function, Anger, and Aggression in Middle Childhood T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Previous research has indicated that executive function (EF) is negatively associated with aggressive behavior in childhood. However, there is a lack of longitudinal studies that have examined the effect of deficits in EF on aggression over time and taken into account different forms and functions of aggression at the same time. Furthermore, only few studies have analyzed the role of underlying variables that may explain the association between EF and aggression. The present study examined the prospective paths between EF and different forms (physical and relational) and functions (reactive and proactive) of aggression. The habitual experience of anger was examined as a potential underlying mechanism of the link between EF and aggression, because the tendency to get angry easily has been found to be both a consequence of deficits in EF and a predictor of aggression. The study included 1,652 children (between 6 and 11 years old at the first time point), who were followed over three time points (T1, T2, and T3) covering 3 years. At T1, a latent factor of EF comprised measures of planning, rated via teacher reports, as well as inhibition, set shifting, and working-memory updating, assessed experimentally. Habitual anger experience was assessed via parent reports at T1 and T2. The forms and functions of aggression were measured via teacher reports at all three time points. Structural equation modeling revealed that EF at T1 predicted physical, relational, and reactive aggression at T3, but was unrelated to proactive aggression at T3. Furthermore, EF at T1 was indirectly linked to physical aggression at T3, mediated through habitual anger experience at T2. The results indicate that deficits in EF influence the later occurrence of aggression in middle childhood, and the tendency to get angry easily mediates this relation. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 382 KW - executive function KW - anger KW - relational aggression KW - reactive aggression KW - proactive aggression KW - childhood KW - longitudinal study Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-409471 IS - 382 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rohlf, Helena L. A1 - Holl, Anna K. A1 - Kirsch, Fabian A1 - Krahé, Barbara A1 - Elsner, Birgit T1 - Longitudinal Links between Executive Function, Anger, and Aggression in Middle Childhood JF - Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience N2 - Previous research has indicated that executive function (EF) is negatively associated with aggressive behavior in childhood. However, there is a lack of longitudinal studies that have examined the effect of deficits in EF on aggression over time and taken into account different forms and functions of aggression at the same time. Furthermore, only few studies have analyzed the role of underlying variables that may explain the association between EF and aggression. The present study examined the prospective paths between EF and different forms (physical and relational) and functions (reactive and proactive) of aggression. The habitual experience of anger was examined as a potential underlying mechanism of the link between EF and aggression, because the tendency to get angry easily has been found to be both a consequence of deficits in EF and a predictor of aggression. The study included 1,652 children (between 6 and 11 years old at the first time point), who were followed over three time points (T1, T2, and T3) covering 3 years. At T1, a latent factor of EF comprised measures of planning, rated via teacher reports, as well as inhibition, set shifting, and working-memory updating, assessed experimentally. Habitual anger experience was assessed via parent reports at T1 and T2. The forms and functions of aggression were measured via teacher reports at all three time points. Structural equation modeling revealed that EF at T1 predicted physical, relational, and reactive aggression at T3, but was unrelated to proactive aggression at T3. Furthermore, EF at T1 was indirectly linked to physical aggression at T3, mediated through habitual anger experience at T2. The results indicate that deficits in EF influence the later occurrence of aggression in middle childhood, and the tendency to get angry easily mediates this relation. KW - executive function KW - anger KW - relational aggression KW - reactive aggression KW - proactive aggression KW - childhood KW - longitudinal study Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00027 SN - 1662-5153 VL - 12 IS - 27 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - GEN A1 - Wippert, Pia-Maria A1 - Drießlein, David A1 - Beck, Heidrun A1 - Schneider, Christian A1 - Puschmann, Anne-Katrin A1 - Banzer, Winfried A1 - Schiltenwolf, Marcus T1 - The Feasibility and Effectiveness of a New Practical Multidisciplinary Treatment for Low-Back Pain BT - A Randomized Controlled Trial T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Low-back pain is a major health problem exacerbated by the fact that most treatments are not suitable for self-management in everyday life. Particularly, interdisciplinary programs consist of intensive therapy lasting several weeks. Additionally, therapy components are rarely coordinated regarding reinforcing effects, which would improve complaints in persons with higher pain. This study assesses the effectiveness of a self-management program, firstly for persons suffering from higher pain and secondly compared to regular routines. Study objectives were treated in a single-blind multicenter controlled trial. A total of n = 439 volunteers (age 18–65 years) were randomly assigned to a twelve-week multidisciplinary sensorimotor training (3-weeks-center- and 9-weeks-homebased) or control group. The primary outcome pain (Chronic-Pain-Grade) as well as mental health were assessed by questionnaires at baseline and follow-up (3/6/12/24 weeks, M2-M5). For statistical analysis, multiple linear regression models were used. N = 291 (age 39.7 ± 12.7 years, female = 61.1%, 77% CPG = 1) completed training (M1/M4/M5), showing a significantly stronger reduction of mental health complaints (anxiety, vital exhaustion) in people with higher than those with lower pain in multidisciplinary treatment. Compared to regular routines, the self-management–multidisciplinary treatment led to a clinically relevant reduction of pain–disability and significant mental health improvements. Low-cost exercise programs may provide enormous relief for therapeutic processes, rehabilitation aftercare, and thus, cost savings for the health system T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 840 KW - low-back pain KW - multidisciplinary pain treatment KW - sensorimotor exercise training KW - classical conditioning KW - executive function KW - MiSpEx Network Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-445814 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 840 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wippert, Pia-Maria A1 - Drießlein, David A1 - Beck, Heidrun A1 - Schneider, Christian A1 - Puschmann, Anne-Katrin A1 - Banzer, Winfried A1 - Schiltenwolf, Marcus T1 - The Feasibility and Effectiveness of a New Practical Multidisciplinary Treatment for Low-Back Pain BT - A Randomized Controlled Trial JF - Journal of Clinical Medicine N2 - Low-back pain is a major health problem exacerbated by the fact that most treatments are not suitable for self-management in everyday life. Particularly, interdisciplinary programs consist of intensive therapy lasting several weeks. Additionally, therapy components are rarely coordinated regarding reinforcing effects, which would improve complaints in persons with higher pain. This study assesses the effectiveness of a self-management program, firstly for persons suffering from higher pain and secondly compared to regular routines. Study objectives were treated in a single-blind multicenter controlled trial. A total of n = 439 volunteers (age 18–65 years) were randomly assigned to a twelve-week multidisciplinary sensorimotor training (3-weeks-center- and 9-weeks-homebased) or control group. The primary outcome pain (Chronic-Pain-Grade) as well as mental health were assessed by questionnaires at baseline and follow-up (3/6/12/24 weeks, M2-M5). For statistical analysis, multiple linear regression models were used. N = 291 (age 39.7 ± 12.7 years, female = 61.1%, 77% CPG = 1) completed training (M1/M4/M5), showing a significantly stronger reduction of mental health complaints (anxiety, vital exhaustion) in people with higher than those with lower pain in multidisciplinary treatment. Compared to regular routines, the self-management–multidisciplinary treatment led to a clinically relevant reduction of pain–disability and significant mental health improvements. Low-cost exercise programs may provide enormous relief for therapeutic processes, rehabilitation aftercare, and thus, cost savings for the health system KW - low-back pain KW - multidisciplinary pain treatment KW - sensorimotor exercise training KW - classical conditioning KW - executive function KW - MiSpEx Network Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9010115 SN - 2077-0383 VL - 9 IS - 115 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Austin, Gina A1 - Groppe, Karoline A1 - Elsner, Birgit T1 - The reciprocal relationship between executive function and theory of mind in middle childhood: a 1-year longitudinal perspective JF - Frontiers in psychology N2 - There is robust evidence showing a link between executive function (EF) and theory of mind (ToM) in 3-to 5-year-olds. However, it is unclear whether this relationship extends to middle childhood. In addition, there has been much discussion about the nature of this relationship. Whereas some authors claim that ToM is needed for EF, others argue that ToM requires EF. To date, however, studies examining the longitudinal relationship between distinct sub components of EF [i.e., attention shifting, working memory (WM) updating, inhibition] and ToM in middle childhood are rare. The present study examined (1) the relationship between three EF subcomponents (attention shifting, WM updating, inhibition) and ToM in middle childhood, and (2) the longitudinal reciprocal relationships between the EF subcomponents and ToM across a 1-year period. EF and ToM measures were assessed experimentally in a sample of 1,657 children (aged 6-11 years) at time point one (t1) and 1 year later at time point two (t2). Results showed that the concurrent relationships between all three EF subcomponents and ToM pertained in middle childhood at t1 and t2, respectively, even when age, gender, and fluid intelligence were partialle dout. Moreover, cross-lagged structural equation modeling (again, controlling for age, gender, and fluid intelligence, as well as for the earlier levels of the target variables), revealed partial support for the view that early ToM predictslater EF, but stronger evidence for the assumption that early EF predictslater ToM. The latter was found for attention shifting and WM updating, but not for inhibition. This reveals the importance of studying the exact interplay of ToM and EF across childhood development, especially with regard to different EF subcomponents. Most likely, understanding others' mental states at different levels of perspective-taking requires specific EF subcomponents, suggesting developmental change in the relations between EF and ToM across childhood. KW - executive function KW - theory of mind KW - longitudinal KW - middle childhood KW - attention shifting KW - inhibition KW - working memory updating Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00655 SN - 1664-1078 VL - 5 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER -