Abstract

NAVA, Irma E. Medrano; LAZARO, Julio C. Flores  and  ALBA, Ana G. Canseco. Relationship between mental flexibility (WCST performance) and intelligence in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Neuropsicologia Latinoamericana [online]. 2010, vol.2, n.2, pp.20-26. ISSN 2075-9479.

Difficulties in executive functions (EF) are characteristic in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mental flexibility difficulties have been widely reported in literature. This ability allows us to alternate different performing criteria which can be necessary to respond to the ever changing demands of a task or situation. Difficulties in the development of the EF, particularly mental flexibility can have a negative influence on the performance of intelligence tests (especially the Wechsler scales). The aim was to determine the level of association between the intelligence quotient (IQ) and mental flexibility in a group of teenagers diagnosed with ADHD. The evaluation included the Wechsler intelligence scale for children WISC-R and the Wisconsin card sorting test (WSCT). Significant negative correlations were found between the total IQ and the executive IQ and, on the other hand, the dimensions of the WCST related to perseverations. Similarly, the block design and arithmetic subtests correlated negatively with these measurements. It is concluded that mental flexibility when moderately associated especially with the performance IQ can be more connected to fluid intelligence.

Keywords : Mental flexibility; Executive functions; Fluid intelligence; Neuropsychology; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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