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

Author First name, Last name, Institution

• Eleni Rachanioti, University of Ioannina
• Dimitra Magkavila, University of Ioannina
• Olga Fragkomichelaki, University of Ioannina
• Magda Dinou, University of Ioannina
• Effie Katsadima, University of Ioannina
• Theodora Foti, University of Ioannina
• Anastasia Tzalla, University of Ioannina
• Anna Dougali, University of Ioannina
• Christina Bourmpou, Yale University
• Maria Staikopoulou, University of Ioannina
• Aphrodite Papantoniou, University of Ioannina
• Fotini Varlami, University of Ioannina
• Irene Dinaki, University of Ioannina
• Maria Tsiountala, University of Ioannina
• Konstantinos Staikopoulos, University of Ioannina
• Tryfon Mavropalias, University of Western Macedonia
• Efthymia Efthymiou, Zayed UniversityFollow
• Demetra Tomprou, Frederick University
• Maria Georgiadi, University of Crete
• Dimitra Katsarou, University of the Aegean
• Georgios Kougioumtzis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• Ioanna Giannoula Katsouri, University of West Attica
• Harilaos Zaragas, University of Ioannina
• Despina Moraitou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• Maria Sofologi, Philips University
• Georgia Papantoniou, University of Ioannina

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Frontiers in Psychology

Publication Date

8-5-2026

Abstract

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.

DOI Link

10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1891008

ISSN

1664-1078

Publisher

Frontiers Media SA

Volume

17

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

affect, behavioral self-regulation, executive functions, general intelligence, older adults, psychometric properties

Scopus ID

105048105082

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Rachanioti, Eleni; Magkavila, Dimitra; Fragkomichelaki, Olga; Dinou, Magda; Katsadima, Effie; Foti, Theodora; Tzalla, Anastasia; Dougali, Anna; Bourmpou, Christina; Staikopoulou, Maria; Papantoniou, Aphrodite; Varlami, Fotini; Dinaki, Irene; Tsiountala, Maria; Staikopoulos, Konstantinos; Mavropalias, Tryfon; Efthymiou, Efthymia; Tomprou, Demetra; Georgiadi, Maria; Katsarou, Dimitra; Kougioumtzis, Georgios; Katsouri, Ioanna Giannoula; Zaragas, Harilaos; Moraitou, Despina; Sofologi, Maria; and Papantoniou, Georgia, "The screening tool of behavioral self-regulation “Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders” task: a preliminary adaptation to Greek older adults" (2026). All Works. 8270.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8270

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series