Ignite Creation Date:
2024-05-06 @ 8:00 PM
Last Modification Date:
2024-10-26 @ 3:18 PM
Study NCT ID:
NCT06213194
Status:
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Last Update Posted:
2024-03-06
First Post:
2023-12-14
Brief Title:
The Effects of Executive Functions and Social Cognition on Mental Health
Sponsor:
Ibn Haldun University
Organization:
Ibn Haldun University
Study Overview
Official Title:
Investigating The Effects of Executive Functions and Social Cognition on the Relationship Between Autistic Traits and Mental Health
Status:
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Status Verified Date:
2024-10
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
None
Brief Summary:
The objective of this study is to analyze the effects of executive functions EFs and social-cognitive abilities on the associations between autistic traits and mental health indicators depression anxiety and stress Moreover the study will produce online training modules for executive functions and social cognition aimed at reducing the likelihood of adverse mental health outcomes in individuals with and without elevated autistic traits
Therefore four main hypotheses will be addressed
1 Revealing the mediating role of executive functions cognitive flexibility inhibitory control and working memory will help predict the association between autistic traits and mental health symptoms anxiety depression and stress
2 Revealing the mediating role of social cognitive skills cognitive empathy and affective empathy will help predict the association between autistic traits and mental health symptoms anxiety depression and stress
3 Online training in executive functions and social cognitive skills will help develop executive functions working memory inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility and social cognitive skills cognitive empathy and affective empathy in the current sample
4 Online training in executive functions and social cognitive skills will promote mental health by reducing distress depression and anxiety symptoms in the current sample
Participants will be between the ages of 18-35 because previous findings indicate that the age of onset of various mental health problems is between the ages of 17 and 35 Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups Using a longitudinal design including pre-test post-test and follow-up conditions to test the effectiveness of combined EFs and social cognition online training for mental health symptoms
Therefore four main hypotheses will be addressed
1 Revealing the mediating role of executive functions cognitive flexibility inhibitory control and working memory will help predict the association between autistic traits and mental health symptoms anxiety depression and stress
2 Revealing the mediating role of social cognitive skills cognitive empathy and affective empathy will help predict the association between autistic traits and mental health symptoms anxiety depression and stress
3 Online training in executive functions and social cognitive skills will help develop executive functions working memory inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility and social cognitive skills cognitive empathy and affective empathy in the current sample
4 Online training in executive functions and social cognitive skills will promote mental health by reducing distress depression and anxiety symptoms in the current sample
Participants will be between the ages of 18-35 because previous findings indicate that the age of onset of various mental health problems is between the ages of 17 and 35 Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups Using a longitudinal design including pre-test post-test and follow-up conditions to test the effectiveness of combined EFs and social cognition online training for mental health symptoms
Detailed Description:
Autism spectrum disorder ASD refers to a neurodevelopmental condition that is associated with impairments in social and cognitive functions repetitive behaviors and restricted interests while autistic traits refer to a subclinical level of ASD and its symptoms distributed in the general population Previous studies have identified people with elevated autistic traits who show susceptibility to other mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders mood disorders borderline personality disorder internet addiction conduct disorder substance abuse and suicidal risk in the general population Although there is no identifiable explanation of susceptibility to other mental health conditions the presence of social and cognitive impairments including problems in executive functions and social cognitive skills might be contributing factors
Previous research indicated that social cognitive skills such as cognitive and affective empathy and executive functions including working memory inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility play important roles in physical and mental health quality of life social competence school and job success marital harmony and public safety Nevertheless although autistic traits increase susceptibility to other mental health conditions no study so far has focused on examining the relationships among autistic traits executive functions and social cognitive skills to design intervention and prevention programs for mental health conditions and quality of life in both general and clinical populations
The primary purpose of the research is to investigate the effects of executive functions and social cognitive skills on the relationship between autistic traits and mental health symptoms that would be significant for designing intervention and prevention programs The second purpose of the research is to design online executive functions and social cognitive training that might help to reduce vulnerability to negative effects on mental health symptoms in the general population regarding elevated autistic traits
Using a longitudinal design including pre-test post-test and follow-up conditions to test the effectiveness of combined executive functions EFs and social cognition online training via computers tablets or smartphones for mental health symptoms depression anxiety and stress This studys independent variables are executive functions cognitive flexibility inhibition and working memory and social cognition cognitive empathy and affective empathy Dependent variables are mental health scores depression anxiety and stress symptoms Participants will be between the ages of 18 and 35 because previous findings indicate that the age of onset of various mental health problems is between the ages of 17 and 35 Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups Online-based training will consist of combined executive functions and social cognitive ie cognitive empathy and affective empathy tasks The length of the training each week will be 75 minutes based on the previous studies Three within conditions will be present pre-test post-test and follow-up The primary outcomes of the study are mental health symptoms anxiety depression stress EFs working memory cognitive flexibility and inhibition and social cognition cognitive and affective empathy
Previous research indicated that social cognitive skills such as cognitive and affective empathy and executive functions including working memory inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility play important roles in physical and mental health quality of life social competence school and job success marital harmony and public safety Nevertheless although autistic traits increase susceptibility to other mental health conditions no study so far has focused on examining the relationships among autistic traits executive functions and social cognitive skills to design intervention and prevention programs for mental health conditions and quality of life in both general and clinical populations
The primary purpose of the research is to investigate the effects of executive functions and social cognitive skills on the relationship between autistic traits and mental health symptoms that would be significant for designing intervention and prevention programs The second purpose of the research is to design online executive functions and social cognitive training that might help to reduce vulnerability to negative effects on mental health symptoms in the general population regarding elevated autistic traits
Using a longitudinal design including pre-test post-test and follow-up conditions to test the effectiveness of combined executive functions EFs and social cognition online training via computers tablets or smartphones for mental health symptoms depression anxiety and stress This studys independent variables are executive functions cognitive flexibility inhibition and working memory and social cognition cognitive empathy and affective empathy Dependent variables are mental health scores depression anxiety and stress symptoms Participants will be between the ages of 18 and 35 because previous findings indicate that the age of onset of various mental health problems is between the ages of 17 and 35 Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups Online-based training will consist of combined executive functions and social cognitive ie cognitive empathy and affective empathy tasks The length of the training each week will be 75 minutes based on the previous studies Three within conditions will be present pre-test post-test and follow-up The primary outcomes of the study are mental health symptoms anxiety depression stress EFs working memory cognitive flexibility and inhibition and social cognition cognitive and affective empathy
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
None
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
False
Is an Unapproved Device?:
None
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?:
None