Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is marked by impairments across social, emotional, and academic functioning, but few studies have examined the association between SCT and neuropsychological functioning. The present study examined the associations between SCT and measures of processing speed, executive function, attention, and reaction time. From a larger sample of 8,238 children and adolescents, a subsample of 928 children were overselected for symptoms of SCT or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and compared to a matched control sample of 652 individuals without elevations of ADHD or SCT (age range = 5.9–15.4 years). Multiple regression analyses revealed that symptoms of SCT were independently associated with deficits in nearly all domains assessed by a battery of neuropsychological assessments, including slower processing speed, poorer working memory, decreased inhibition, poorer vigilance, and increased reaction time. Further, weaknesses in all five of these domains remained significant even after symptoms of ADHD-inattention, anxiety, and depression were controlled. These findings add to literature that supports the validity of SCT as a symptom profile separate from ADHD-inattention symptoms.

缓慢的认知节奏（SCT）的特征是社交，情感和学术功能受到损害，但是很少有研究检查SCT与神经心理学功能之间的关联。本研究检查了SCT与处理速度，执行功能，注意力和反应时间的度量之间的关联。从8238名儿童和青少年的较大样本中，对928名儿童的SCT或注意力不足/多动障碍（ADHD）症状进行了超额选择，并将其与652名未升高ADHD或SCT的对照样本（年龄范围）进行比较= 5.9–15.4年）。多元回归分析显示，通过一系列神经心理学评估，包括几乎较慢的处理速度，工作记忆差，抑制力降低，警惕性差和反应时间增加。此外，即使在注意力缺陷多动症注意力不集中，焦虑和抑郁症状得到控制后，这五个领域的弱点仍然很明显。这些发现增加了支持SCT作为与ADHD注意力不足症状分开的症状特征的有效性的文献。