(PS6-7) Do Executive Functioning Abilities and Exposure to Traumatic Life Events Predict Externalizing Behaviors in Adolescence?

Externalizing behaviors (e.g., conduct problems) in adolescence are of major public health concern and are associated with psychological disorders in adulthood. As youth reach adolescence, risk-taking and sensation-seeking behaviors increase, conferring potential risk for problem behaviors. Specific cognitive factors, such executive functioning (EF) abilities, may protect against or confer risk for the development of externalizing behaviors. Greater exposure to traumatic events (TEs)  is also associated with increased externalizing problems across development. As such, exposure to TE’s may interact with EF abilities to differentially predict the development of externalizing behaviors over time. The present study used growth curve modeling to examine externalizing behaviors using the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development multisite, longitudinal study (N=11,875; 48% female, 52% male), with exposure to TEs and three aspects of EF (set-shifting, inhibitory control, and working memory) collected at baseline as predictors. Externalizing behaviors were assessed at baseline and one-, two-, three-, and four-year follow-ups. A random slope model with the parameter for the three-year follow up freed was the best fitting model for these data, χ²(4) = 57.029, p < .001; CFI = .998; TLI = .994; RMSEA = .033; SRMR = .005. The exposure to TEs × EF interactions did not predict change (slope) in externalizing behaviors over time. Exposure to traumatic events moderated the relation between working memory and initial levels (intercepts) of externalizing behaviors. High working memory in the context of high exposure to TEs was associated with lower levels of externalizing behaviors, though youth with high exposure to TEs exhibited the highest level of externalizing behaviors. These factors can be used to identify youth who may be at risk for developing externalizing behaviors. Additionally, in the context of high exposure to TEs, working memory may be a potential protective factor amenable to intervention in order to prevent the development of externalizing behaviors in adolescence.