Executive function in older adults: A structural equation modeling approach.

Abstract

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to study the organization of executive functions in older adults. The four primary goals were to examine (a) whether executive functions were supported by one versus multiple underlying factors, (b) which underlying skill(s) predicted performance on complex executive function tasks, (c) whether performance on analogous verbal and nonverbal tasks was supported by separable underlying skills, and (d) how patterns of performance generally compared with those of young adults. A sample of 100 older adults completed 10 tasks, each designed to engage one of three control processes: mental set shifting (Shifting), information updating or monitoring (Updating), and inhibition of prepotent responses (Inhibition). CFA identified robust Shifting and Updating factors, but the Inhibition factor failed to emerge, and there was no evidence for verbal and nonverbal factors. SEM showed that Updating was the best predictor of performance on each of the complex tasks the authors assessed (the Tower of Hanoi and the Wisconsin Card Sort). Results are discussed in terms of insight for theories of cognitive aging and executive function.

Examining and Comparing Executive Functions in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Subjects and Healthy Subjects

“…The findings are in line with Kodl and Seaquist (2008), Qui et al (2006), Okereke et al (2008), Hull et al (2008) and Jurado and Rosselli (2007). Awad et al (2010), in a review study, showed that type 2 diabetes is more strongly correlated with memory deficiencies and executive functions.…”

The Relationship Between Executive Functions and Language Abilities in Children: A Latent Variables Approach

“…The local/ global task is a very common measure of shifting (e.g., Hull, Martin, Beier, Lane, & Hamilton, 2008;Miyake et al, 2000;Vaughan & Giovanello, 2010) that required the child to shift between identifying shapes at the local and the global level. Both accuracy and RTs were collected.…”

Evidência de Validade de Construto do NEUPSILIN Utilizando Análise Fatorial Confirmatória

“…Portanto, o modelo empírico indicou a adequação de praxias construtiva e ideomotora, mas a confirmação da adequação em termos estatísticos de tarefas de praxias do tipo reflexiva requer a inclusão de um maior número de tarefas ou outro método de análise. Considerando a teoria de avaliação de funções executivas que integra a avaliação de memória de trabalho, atenção sustentada, resolução de problemas e inibição, entre outras habilidades, como planejamento, formação conceitual, desenvolvimento estratégico e implementação (Ardila, 2008;Chan, Shum, Toulopoulou, & Chen, 2008;Hull, Martin, Beier, Lane, & Hamilton, 2008;Salthouse, 2005) Ressalta-se que os componentes de atenção e memória frequentemente estão relacionados um ao outro e a outras habilidades cognitivas, por exemplo, às funções executivas, relações que ainda não foram completamente compreendidas (Ostrosky-Solís et al, 2007). Por exemplo, no que se refere à estrutura estatística do componente executivo central da memória de trabalho, Miyake et al (2000) avaliou as funções flexibilidade mental, atualização da informação e inibição da resposta predominante e concluiu que ao mesmo tempo que essas funções podem ser evidentemente distinguidas, elas também dividem algumas características.…”