Executive Function and Impulsivity Predict Distinct Genetic Variance in Internalizing Problems, Externalizing Problems, Thought Disorders, and Compulsive Disorders: A Genomic Structural Equation Modeling Study

Abstract

Individual differences in self-control predict many health and life outcomes. Building on twin literature, we used genomic structural equation modeling to test the hypothesis that genetic influences on executive function and impulsivity predict independent variance in mental health and other outcomes. The impulsivity factor (comprising urgency, lack of premeditation, and other facets) was only modestly genetically correlated with low executive function ( r = .13). Controlling for impulsivity, we found that low executive function was genetically associated with increased internalizing (β = 0.15), externalizing (β = 0.13), thought disorders (β = 0.38), compulsive disorders (β = 0.22), and chronotype (β = .011). Controlling for executive function, we found that impulsivity was positively genetically associated with internalizing (β = 0.36), externalizing (β = 0.55), body mass index (β = 0.26), and insomnia (β = 0.35) and negatively genetically associated with compulsive disorders (β = −0.17). Executive function and impulsivity were both genetically correlated with general cognitive ability and educational attainment. This work suggests that executive function and impulsivity are genetically separable and show independent associations with mental health.