Lower performance of executive functions predicts higher alcohol and tobacco consumption among adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective The study proposes to evaluate different domains of executive functions in adolescents as predictors of alcohol and cigarette use. Methods A cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of 239 adolescents with a mean age of 15.34 (±2.32). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) evaluated alcohol and cigarette use respectively. Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) for mental health screening. The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and Continuous Performance Task (CPT) assessed executive domains. The adjusted Odds Ratio (ORa) was used. Results Adjusted logistic models showed an association between the inhibitory control domains (ORa = 1.043; 95% CI = 1.013-1.069; p = 0.001), cognitive flexibility (ORa = 1.069; 95% CI = 1.01-1.11; p = 0.001), and decision making (ORa = 1.025; 95% CI = 0.258-0.867; p < 0.014) and alcohol use. There was also an association between the inhibitory control domains (ORa = 1.053; 95% CI = 1.017-1.041; p = 0.003), and cognitive flexibility (ORa = 1.047; 95% CI = 1.004-1.250; p = 0.001), and tobacco use. The range from 14 to 16 years old with 1.065 (ORa = 1.065; 95% CI = 1.05-1.95; p = 0.010) was higher odds ratio for alcohol use, and 1.067 (ORa = 1.067; 95% CI = 0.156-1.453; p = 0.016) odds ratio for cigarette use. Conclusion The cognitive domains of executive functions are predictive factors associated with the use of alcohol and cigarettes by adolescents. Adolescents with worse performance in executive functions are more likely to use alcohol or cigarettes.