The screening tool of behavioral self-regulation "Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders" task: a preliminary adaptation to Greek older adults.

The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders (HTKS) behavioral self-regulation (executive function) measure in a sample of Greek older population. Specifically, 88 cognitively healthy Greek older adults over the age of 65 participated in the study. The Greek version of HTKS was administered along with the Greek versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Raven's Educational CPM, the Number Series (NS) test, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and the Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P). Exploratory factor analysis supported the unidimensional structure of the HTKS. The internal consistency reliability was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient and found to be acceptable (α = 0.79). Furthermore, significant positive correlations of the HTKS with measures of cognitive ability (CPM, NS, and MMSE) supported its convergent validity. No significant bivariate correlations of the HTKS were found with older adults' emotional state or impulsivity. The path analysis indicated that nonverbal cognitive ability (CPM) and general cognitive ability (NS) positively influenced the performance on HTKS. In turn, behavioral self-regulation (HTKS) was found to influence positively both positive and negative affect as measured by the PANAS. Additionally, nonverbal cognitive ability (CPM) was found to negatively predict negative affect.