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Schedule:
Friday, January 22, 2027
Continental 1-4 (Hilton San Francisco Union Square)
* noted as presenting author
Background
Executive functioning (EF) deficits interfere with higher-order cognitive processes including planning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and decision-making. These impairments are associated with reduced functioning across occupational, relational, and health domains. Since 2020, clinicians have reported an increase in adults presenting with EF-related concerns such as impaired attention, reduced task initiation, and “brain fog,” often linked to chronic stress, trauma exposure, and post-COVID conditions. Emerging research suggests that emotional regulation (ER) plays a critical role in supporting executive functioning through interconnected neurocognitive systems involving prefrontal cortical regulation of limbic activity.
Executive functioning (EF) deficits interfere with higher-order cognitive processes including planning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and decision-making. These impairments are associated with reduced functioning across occupational, relational, and health domains. Since 2020, clinicians have reported an increase in adults presenting with EF-related concerns such as impaired attention, reduced task initiation, and “brain fog,” often linked to chronic stress, trauma exposure, and post-COVID conditions. Emerging research suggests that emotional regulation (ER) plays a critical role in supporting executive functioning through interconnected neurocognitive systems involving prefrontal cortical regulation of limbic activity.
Purpose
This study reviews theoretical and empirical literature examining the relationship between executive functioning and emotional regulation and explores whether strengthening ER may improve EF deficits among adults in the post-2020 context.
This study reviews theoretical and empirical literature examining the relationship between executive functioning and emotional regulation and explores whether strengthening ER may improve EF deficits among adults in the post-2020 context.
Methods
A structured literature review was conducted using PsycINFO, PubMed, and Social Services Abstracts. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2025 were reviewed using behavioral and neuropsychological frameworks. Studies examining relationships between EF, ER, trauma exposure, mood disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, and post-COVID cognitive effects were included.
A structured literature review was conducted using PsycINFO, PubMed, and Social Services Abstracts. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2025 were reviewed using behavioral and neuropsychological frameworks. Studies examining relationships between EF, ER, trauma exposure, mood disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, and post-COVID cognitive effects were included.
Results
Findings indicate a consistent relationship between deficits in emotional regulation and executive functioning across multiple clinical populations. Evidence suggests that interventions targeting ER—including cognitive reappraisal, mindfulness-based therapies, and trauma-informed behavioral treatments—may improve EF outcomes by reducing limbic system hyperactivation and restoring prefrontal cognitive control. The review also identifies emerging research linking COVID-19–related neuroinflammation and chronic stress exposure to increased EF impairment.
Findings indicate a consistent relationship between deficits in emotional regulation and executive functioning across multiple clinical populations. Evidence suggests that interventions targeting ER—including cognitive reappraisal, mindfulness-based therapies, and trauma-informed behavioral treatments—may improve EF outcomes by reducing limbic system hyperactivation and restoring prefrontal cognitive control. The review also identifies emerging research linking COVID-19–related neuroinflammation and chronic stress exposure to increased EF impairment.
Implications
For clinical social work practice, emotional regulation may represent a key treatment target for addressing executive functioning deficits across diagnostic categories. Integrating ER-focused interventions into psychotherapy may improve cognitive flexibility, task persistence, and daily functioning in adults experiencing post-pandemic cognitive difficulties. Future research should evaluate longitudinal outcomes and test ER-focused interventions in diverse clinical populations.
For clinical social work practice, emotional regulation may represent a key treatment target for addressing executive functioning deficits across diagnostic categories. Integrating ER-focused interventions into psychotherapy may improve cognitive flexibility, task persistence, and daily functioning in adults experiencing post-pandemic cognitive difficulties. Future research should evaluate longitudinal outcomes and test ER-focused interventions in diverse clinical populations.