Topical Review: Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Research Findings and Relevance for Pediatric Psychology

Overview

Journal J Pediatr Psychol

Publisher Oxford University Press

Date 2013 Aug 13

PMID 23933842

Citations 24

Authors

Stephen P Becker

Affiliations

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Abstract

Objective: To summarize recent research on sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) and consider the potential relevance of SCT for the field of pediatric psychology.

Methods: Literature review.

Results: Recent empirical evidence shows SCT symptoms consisting of sluggish/sleepy and daydreamy behaviors to be distinct from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. SCT is associated with psychosocial functioning in children and adolescents, including internalizing symptoms, social withdrawal, and, possibly, academic impairment.

Conclusions: The recent findings reviewed suggest that SCT is an important construct for pediatric psychologists to be aware of and may also be directly useful for the research and practice of pediatric psychology.

Citing Articles

Cognitive disengagement syndrome (sluggish cognitive tempo) and medical conditions: a systematic review and call for future research.

Fredrick J, Jacobson L, Peterson R, Becker S Child Neuropsychol. 2023; 30(5):783-817.

PMID: 37712631 PMC: 10940202. DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2023.2256052.

An Evaluation of the Structure of Attention in Adolescence.

Cirino P, Farrell A, Barnes M, Roberts G Dev Neuropsychol. 2023; 48(4):162-185.

PMID: 37218215 PMC: 10330620. DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2023.2213789.

Report of a Work Group on Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Key Research Directions and a Consensus Change in Terminology to Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome.

Becker S, Willcutt E, Leopold D, Fredrick J, Smith Z, Jacobson L J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022; 62(6):629-645.

PMID: 36007816 PMC: 9943858. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2022.07.821.

Eveningness Diurnal Preference: Putting the "Sluggish" in Sluggish Cognitive Tempo.

Lunsford-Avery J, Sweitzer M, Kollins S, Mitchell J J Atten Disord. 2020; 25(14):2060-2067.

PMID: 33026285 PMC: 9273285. DOI: 10.1177/1087054720959697.

Internal and External Validity of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and ADHD Inattention Dimensions with Teacher Ratings of Nepali Children.

Khadka G, Burns G, Becker S J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 2019; 38(3):433-442.

PMID: 31186601 PMC: 6557450. DOI: 10.1007/s10862-015-9534-6.