Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025)
Published : Feb 12, 2026

Longitudinal Patterns of Early Neurocognitive Deficits and Behavioral Dysregulation in High-Risk Paediatric Populations

Nazmul MHM (1), Rashid MA (2), Maheedhar Kodali (3), Yamna Rahim (4)

(1) School of Medicine, Perdana University, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(2) Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Bedong, 08100, Kedah, Malaysia
(3) Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
(4) Research Manager, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia, V2N 4Z9, Canada
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Abstract

This research aims to explore the growth patterns of neurocognitive deficiencies and behavioral deregulation in high-risk children over four years. Using a sample of 190 children recruited through clinical referrals and early intervention programs, this study utilizes standardized neuropsychological evaluations alongside behavioral risk assessments to retrieve data at multiple points in time, examining the interplay between cognitive delays and behavioral issues. The results indicate that earlier executive function deficits strongly predict the development of persistent dysregulated control areas, especially externalized aggressive and impulsive behaviors. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct risk profiles, each with unique neurocognitive-behavioral features. Working memory deficits, delayed verbal processing, and the presence of the institutional setting emerged through multivariate regression analysis as the most dominant explainers for behavioral decrements. Further analysis indicated a subgroup of children with moderate intellectual disabilities showed the greatest behavioral decline when coupled with unremediated cognitive lags. Notably, subjects who received structured cognitive skills and validated reproductive health interventions demonstrated significant behavioral stabilization, suggesting proactive neurodevelopmental care can redirect negative behavioral trends. These
findings highlight the urgency of proactive integrated neurodevelopmental surveillance and tailored intervention framework within paediatric risk management paradigms.