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Working memory, psychiatric symptoms, and academic performance at school
E T Aronen1, V Vuontela, M-R Steenari
1Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Child Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Lastenlinnantie 2, 00250 Helsinki, Finland. eeva.aronen@hus.fi
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
|December 21, 2004
Summary
Children with strong spatial working memory excel academically. Deficits in working memory, particularly auditory-spatial, correlate with attention and behavioral issues in school-aged children.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Previous research on working memory, academic performance, and behavior primarily studied clinical groups.
- The relationship between working memory and these factors in typically developing children requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the associations between auditory and visuospatial working memory performance and academic achievement.
- To investigate the link between working memory function and teacher-reported psychiatric symptoms in school children.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-five children aged 6-13 completed auditory and visual n-back tasks to assess working memory.
- Data collected included incorrect responses, reaction times, and multiple/missed responses.
- Academic performance and behavioral/emotional status were evaluated using the Teacher Report Form.
Main Results:
- Good spatial working memory performance correlated positively with academic success.
- Lower working memory performance, especially in auditory-spatial tasks, was linked to academic and attentional/behavioral difficulties.
- Increased errors in working memory tasks were associated with attentional/behavioral problems and, in visual tasks, with anxiety/depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Working memory deficits may contribute to learning difficulties and behavioral issues like impulsivity and hyperactivity.
- Anxiety/depressive symptoms might impair working memory and concentration, negatively impacting academic performance.