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Early Risk for Problem Behavior and Substance Use: Targeted Interventions for the Promotion of Inhibitory Control

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Inhibitory Control and Drug Abuse Prevention

Abstract

Central to many neurocognitive models of childhood problem behavior is inhibitory control, which Kochanska and colleagues refer to as effortful impulse control (Kochanska et al., Child Development 67:490–507, 1996). Inhibitory control is defined here to include active processes of inhibition, effortful or willful control of emotions, thoughts, and actions, as well as self-regulation of both approach and avoidance (Rothbart, Temperament in childhood 59–73, 1989). Inhibitory control has also been considered a central component of executive cognitive function (ECF), which includes a variety of neurocognitive skills necessary for problem-solving and goal directed behaviors. This chapter has three primary objectives. First, we discuss research on brain development and neurocognition (ECF) relevant to childhood and adolescent problem behaviors including substance use. We expand our focus from substance use to early childhood behavior problems in general (e.g., conduct problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) due to common neurological correlates, as well as putative relationships between childhood conduct problems and adolescent substance misuse (Clark et al., Drug and Alcohol Dependence 77:13–21, 2005). Next, we review the growing number of public health interventions that measure and/or target ECF, while highlighting those that specifically target inhibitory control. Finally, we discuss the implications and research directions for the future development and implementation of substance misuse interventions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA, 91803, USA

    Nathaniel R. Riggs

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  1. Nathaniel R. Riggs
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  2. Mark T. Greenberg
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  3. Brittany Rhoades
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Correspondence to Nathaniel R. Riggs .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Drug Abuse, Research Translation, University of Kentucky, S. Limestone 741, Lexington, 40536-0509, Kentucky, USA

    Michael T. Bardo

  2. Transdisciplinary Behavioral, Science Program, RTI International, Eastern Avenue 6801, Baltimore, 21224, Maryland, USA

    Diana H. Fishbein

  3. Center for Drug Abuse, Research Translation, University of Kentucky, S. Limestone 741, Lexington, 40536-0509, Kentucky, USA

    Richard Milich

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Riggs, N.R., Greenberg, M.T., Rhoades, B. (2011). Early Risk for Problem Behavior and Substance Use: Targeted Interventions for the Promotion of Inhibitory Control. In: Bardo, M., Fishbein, D., Milich, R. (eds) Inhibitory Control and Drug Abuse Prevention. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1268-8_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1268-8_13

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