Mapping the Interplay Between Functional Autonomy, Executive Functions, Self-Management, and Social-Emotional Strengths in Adolescents

Functional autonomy reflects adolescents’ participation across daily occupations. This cross-sectional study examined associations between functional autonomy, executive functions, self-management, and social-emotional strengths in 88 typically developing adolescents within a strength-based, multidimensional framework. Participants completed the Participation Activities Rating for Teenagers (Take PART) and standardized self-report measures (Teenage Executive Functioning Inventory, Self-Control and Self-Management Scale, and Social Emotional Health Survey-Secondary). Regression analyses identified inhibition and engaged living as primary factors associated with overall autonomy ( R ² = .25), with domain-specific contributions from working memory and emotional competence. Cluster analysis revealed two functional profiles reflecting higher (Cluster 1) and lower (Cluster 2) cognitive–regulatory–emotional profiles. Inhibition and engaged living showed the strongest associations with overall autonomy. Functional autonomy was associated with executive functions, self-management, and social-emotional strengths. These findings support a multidimensional understanding of functional autonomy during adolescence and may inform individualized occupational therapy assessment and intervention planning.