Developmental Differences in the Structure of Executive Function in Middle Childhood and Adolescence

Abstract

Although it has been argued that the structure of executive function (EF) may change developmentally, there is little empirical research to examine this view in middle childhood and adolescence. The main objective of this study was to examine developmental changes in the component structure of EF in a large sample (N = 457) of 7–15 year olds. Participants completed batteries of tasks that measured three components of EF: updating working memory (UWM), inhibition, and shifting. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test five alternative models in 7–9 year olds, 10–12 year olds, and 13–15 year olds. The results of CFA showed that a single-factor EF model best explained EF performance in 7–9-year-old and 10–12-year-old groups, namely unitary EF, though this single factor explained different amounts of variance at these two ages. In contrast, a three-factor model that included UWM, inhibition, and shifting best accounted for the data from 13–15 year olds, namely diverse EF. In sum, during middle childhood, putative measures of UWM, inhibition, and shifting may rely on similar underlying cognitive processes. Importantly, our findings suggest that developmental dissociations in these three EF components do not emerge until children transition into adolescence. These findings provided empirical evidence for the development of EF structure which progressed from unity to diversity during middle childhood and adolescence.

Minimal coherence among varied theory of mind measures in childhood and adulthood

“…Decades of research into executive function has included many studies with hundreds or even thousands of participants who were administered batteries designed to deconstruct component processes and identify their neural correlates (e.g., Carriedo et al, 2016;Gioia et al, 2002;Wiebe et al, 2008Wiebe et al, , 2011Whelan et al, 2012), with evidence suggesting developmental fractionation in the components of EF (e.g., Brydges at el., 2014;Shing et al, 2010;Xu et al, 2013). Such a well-developed body of research does not yet exist for ToM and the current study was designed as a starting point spur future research and theoretical discussion.…”

Executive function in children born preterm: Risk factors and implications for outcome

“…11,20,38 Factor analytic research in community cohorts of school-age children and adolescents provides support for greater differentiation of EF into the component processes of working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility in these older age groups. 6,39,40 …”

Developmental changes in decision making under risk: The role of executive functions and reasoning abilities in 8- to 19-year-old decision makers

“…These two cognitive domains, executive functions and reasoning, are known to be age sensitive. Both domains improve from childhood to young adulthood (e.g., Klingberg, Forssberg, & Westerberg, 2002;Raven, 2000;Salthouse, 2004;Siegel & Ryan, 1989;Xu et al, 2013). Executive functions have been observed to develop in so-called "spurts," that is, age-dependent timeframes of rapid development (Anderson, Anderson, Northam, Jacobs, & Catroppa, 2001;Best & Miller, 2010;Best, Miller, & Jones, 2009;Jurado & Rosselli, 2007;Romine & Reynolds, 2005).…”