Inhibitory control, emotional regulation and ADHD in children and adolescents: a systematic review of Spanish-speaking Latin American Countries

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, associated with executive functioning deficits, particularly in inhibitory control and emotional regulation. However, Spanish-speaking Latin American populations remain underrepresented in this literature. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, examined 17 studies published between 2014 and 2024, investigating inhibitory control and emotional regulation in Spanish-speaking Latin American children and adolescents with ADHD. Consistent with prior research, results indicated significant impairments in inhibitory control and, when assessed, emotional regulation among these children and adolescents. Yet, most studies operationalized these constructs through inhibitory control measures, suggesting that emotional regulation remains underexplored. In turn, we observed considerable methodological variability across studies, including differences in informants, assessment tools, and diagnostic criteria. Risk-of-bias appraisal using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist indicated study quality ranging from low to high, with limited control for confounding factors representing the most common limitation. Taken together, these findings suggest that executive functioning difficulties, particularly deficits in inhibitory control, represent a core characteristic of ADHD in Spanish- speaking Latin America. Future research should prioritize multi- informant designs, culturally adapted tools, and interventions that account for sociocultural factors (such as socioeconomic status and access to specialized services) to improve support for individuals with ADHD across diverse cultural settings.