RDoC cognitive systems and emerging psychopathology: A latent variable analysis of teacher-reported psychosocial difficulties and executive function processes in young children

Eaton, Steve and van Goozen, Stephanie H. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5983-4734 2026. RDoC cognitive systems and emerging psychopathology: A latent variable analysis of teacher-reported psychosocial difficulties and executive function processes in young children. Psychological Medicine 56 , e222. 10.1017/S003329172610508X

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Abstract

Background: Executive function (EF) deficits are consistently linked to psychopathology symptoms, though the mechanisms linking poor EF to symptom expression remain unclear. Methods: The study used the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) approach to examine relationships between teacher-reported latent psychopathology symptoms, including a general psychopathology factor (P-Factor), and EF in young children with emerging mental health problems. Participants were 804 children (70.8% male; aged 49–89 months) referred by their teachers for cognitive, emotional, or behavioral problems at school. To assess psychopathology, teachers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). EF measures included inhibition, cognitive flexibility, working memory, sustained attention, and episodic memory, assessed using the NIH Toolbox, Automated Working Memory Assessment, and the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Test battery. Results: Structural equation modeling (incorporating confirmatory factor analysis) showed reasonable model fit and supported a P-Factor structure. Correlational analyses explored EF–psychopathology associations, followed by a sensitivity analysis controlling for sex. We observed patterns of cognitive processes that showed inverse associations between EF performance and specific clinical problems. Sustained attention was positively associated with emotional problems but negatively associated with hyperactivity problems. Sex-stratified analyses revealed distinct patterns, with inhibition problems strongly linked to conduct and hyperactivity problems, but in females only. Conclusions: The findings support poor EF as a transdiagnostic risk factor associated with incremental vulnerability for childhood psychopathology. Divergent findings for sustained attentional processes suggest they can be adaptive in some contexts but maladaptive in others. Screening for EF difficulties in children could enhance early identification and inform interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Psychology
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	0033-2917
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	20 July 2026
Last Modified:	20 Jul 2026 11:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188318

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