Development of Executive Functions' Structure in 8-12 Year Olds

Abstract

Executive functions (EFs) involve critical top-down cognitive processes underpinning higher-order cognitive abilities, which are fundamental for a variety of life outcomes. Their structure and development during middle childhood remain yet partially understood. This study explores the developmental trajectory of EFs, focusing on inhibition, working memory (WM), and cognitive flexibility, in a cross-sectional sample of 294 children aged 8-12 years. Using a comprehensive battery of nine cognitive tasks and advanced psychometric modeling, we examined age-related improvements and structural changes in EFs. Our findings reveal significant developmental progress across all EF components, with performance enhancements correlating with age. More notably, including both traditional correlated models and innovative bifactor analyses, the results indicate a shift from a less differentiated two-factor structure among younger children, where WM and cognitive flexibility are merged, to a distinct three-factor structure in older children, aligning with adult-like EFs characterization. This transition underscores a gradual differentiation of EFs, challenging the notion of an uniform EFs development and highlighting the nuanced nature of these processes. Additionally, bifactor modeling illuminated a common EFs factor alongside domain-specific abilities, offering novel insights into the underlying architecture of EFs during this critical developmental stage. These findings not only contribute to our understanding of EFs' developmental dynamics, but also hold implications for applied research focused on interventions targeting cognitive development in middle childhood.