Affiliation:
1. Occupational Science & Therapy Program, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waterfront Campus, Geelong, VIC, Australia
2. Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University-Peninsula Campus, Frankston, VIC, Australia
Abstract
Introduction: Independently, interoceptive awareness and executive functioning play major roles in children’s abilities to engage in their daily occupations. This study investigated the potential relationship between neurotypical school-age children’s interoceptive awareness and executive functioning. Method: A convenience sample of 30 children (8–12 years) completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness–youth and one of their parents completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function® – Second Edition (BRIEF®2). Spearman rho correlations and linear regression analyses with bootstrapping were completed. Results: The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness–youth Emotional Awareness aspect of interoceptive awareness was significantly correlated with and predictive of the following BRIEF®2 executive functioning components: Emotion Regulation Index (ρ = 0.402, R2 = 0.888, p < 0.001), Cognitive Regulation Index (ρ = 0.364, R2 = 0.256, p < 0.001) and the Global Executive Composite (ρ = 0.049, R2 = 0.128, p < 0.012), as well as the following subscales: Organisation of Materials (ρ = 0.422, R2 = 0.150, p < 0.020), Working Memory (ρ = 0.393, R2 = 0.085, p < 0.033), Emotional Control (ρ = 0.394, R2 = 0.176, p < 0.002) and Inhibit (ρ = 0.373, R2 = 0.141, p < 0.003). Conclusion: It appears that there is a significant and predictive relationship between neurotypical children’s interoceptive awareness and aspects of their executive functioning.