Cognitive Functioning and Emotional Disorders in Youth
Summary
The interaction between cognitive development and emotional health in children and adolescents has emerged as a central focus of psychological and educational research. Cognitive functioning encompasses a range of processes including memory, attention, language, executive functions and processing speed, all of which underpin academic performance and social adaptation. Emotional disorders in youth, notably anxiety and depression, often coincide with disturbances in one or more cognitive domains, leading to impairments in daily life and learning. Recent work has revealed that specific emotional symptom clusters, such as internalising or externalising behaviours, may be associated with distinct cognitive profiles. Moreover, the trajectory of cognitive maturation during childhood and adolescence can both influence and be altered by the onset and course of emotional disorders. This reciprocal relationship has significant global implications, informing early identification strategies, cognitive–behavioural interventions and educational support tailored to at-risk populations. Advances in neuroimaging and longitudinal cohort studies have begun to elucidate underlying neural circuits and developmental pathways, enhancing our understanding of how emotional dysregulation interplays with prefrontal and limbic networks. By integrating evidence from diverse populations and methodologies, the field is moving towards personalised approaches that bolster cognitive resilience and mitigate the impact of emotional disorders throughout formative years.
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Cognitive Functioning and Emotional Disorders in Youth publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cognitive functioning and emotional disorders in youth across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Executive function: A set of higher-order cognitive processes including planning, working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility.
Internalising symptoms: Emotional difficulties such as anxiety and depression characterised by inwardly directed distress.
Externalising symptoms: Behavioural difficulties such as aggression and hyperactivity expressed outwardly.
Affective control: The modulation of cognitive processes in emotionally salient contexts, often referred to as “hot” executive functions.
References
- Cognitive Functioning in Youth with Anxiety Disorders: A Systematic Review. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review (2024).
- Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Risk for Childhood Depression: Role of Executive Functions. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2024).
- Cognitive functioning in children with internalising, externalising and dysregulation problems: a population-based study. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2016).
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