Examination of Executive Function and Social Phobia Among Female College-Aged Students With Celiac Disease.

Abstract

Celiac disease (CD) is a T-cell mediated genetically inherited autoimmune disease affecting approximately 1% of the population. Research suggests that CD impacts executive functioning (EF) and social phobia (SP). However, most of the literature in this area focuses on age groups outside of the traditional college age range and has never measured EF and SP together. This descriptive study compared traditional age female college students with CD to age- and sex-matched college students without CD on measures of EF and SP. Participants completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult version (BRIEF-A), the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults-Short Form (SAQ-A30), and a demographic questionnaire. Results indicated that participants with CD reported lower grade point averages; scored lower on BRIEF-A measures of working memory, planning/organization, and organization of materials; and scored higher on SAQ-A30 measures involving interactions with the opposite sex and strangers. Implications for nursing practice are discussed. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(2), 25-34.].