To determine the association between executive function and later externalizing and internalizing problems, we conducted a meta-analysis of 167 studies (1098 effect sizes, total N = 66,119) that explored the longitudinal associations between executive functions in children and subsequent externalizing and internalizing problems. The results indicated that greater child executive function was prospectively associated with fewer attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, fewer conduct problems, fewer oppositional defiant disorder symptoms, less substance use, fewer broad externalizing problems, fewer depression symptoms, and fewer broad internalizing problems, but not with subsequent anxiety symptoms. Moderator analyses revealed that the sample type moderated the associations of executive function with both ADHD symptoms and conduct problems. Age of assessment moderated the association with broad externalizing problems, and executive function context moderated associations with both substance use and broad internalizing problems. These findings suggest that executive function in children prospectively predicts numerous externalizing and internalizing behaviors, suggesting that executive function may be an important target for psychopathology prevention programs and interventions.

为了确定执行功能与后来的外化和内化问题之间的关联，我们对 167 项研究（1098 个效应量，总N = 66,119) 探讨了儿童执行功能与随后的外化和内化问题之间的纵向关联。结果表明，较高的儿童执行功能与较少的注意力缺陷/多动障碍 (ADHD) 症状、较少的行为问题、较少的对立违抗障碍症状、较少的物质使用、较少广泛的外化问题、较少的抑郁症状和较少的广泛内化问题，但不会伴随随后的焦虑症状。调节器分析显示，样本类型调节了执行功能与 ADHD 症状和行为问题的关联。评估年龄调节了与广泛外化问题的关联，和执行功能背景调节了与物质使用和广泛内化问题的关联。这些研究结果表明，儿童的执行功能可以前瞻性地预测许多外化和内化行为，这表明执行功能可能是精神病理学预防计划和干预的重要目标。