Predicting of Empathy Based on The Components of Executive Functions in Children with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms

The aim of the present study was to predict empathy based on the Component's executive functions in children with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder symptoms. The method of this study was descriptive and correlation. The statistical population included elementary school male students (ages 8 to 12 years) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in Tabriz in the academic year of 2019-2020, 120 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms were selected by cluster random sampling. Multi-stage was selected using the Child Behavior Rating Scale (Swanson, Nolan & Pelham,1980). Strop test (Raydli, 1995), continuous performance test (Razveld, et al, 1996), and children's cognitive and emotional empathy scale (Dadss, et al, 2008) were used to collect data. The results of path analysis showed that response inhibition and sustained attention have a significant role in predicting cognitive and emotional empathy (P<0.05). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that deficits in executive functions can lead to a lack of empathy in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms.