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Executive Function Measures for Children: A Scoping Review of Ecological Validity
Anna Wallisch1,2, Lauren M Little3, Evan Dean1
11 University of Kansas Medical Center, USA.
OTJR : Occupation, Participation and Health
|September 12, 2017
Summary
Executive function (EF) skills are vital for children but hard to measure. This review found many EF measures lack real-world applicability, highlighting a need for more ecologically valid assessments for children.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Cognitive Psychology
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Executive function (EF) skills are crucial for children's daily activities.
- Measuring EF in children is challenging due to its complex nature.
- Existing EF measures often lack ecological validity, limiting their real-world applicability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review on the ecological validity of executive function (EF) measures for children.
- To examine how EF measures, assessments, and tasks apply to children's everyday occupations.
- To identify gaps and trends in research on EF ecological validity in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive scoping review of 355 peer-reviewed articles published between 1996 and 2016.
- Systematic search for studies addressing the ecological validity of EF measures in children.
- Analysis of identified articles and measures related to EF ecological validity.
Main Results:
- Identified 43 articles focusing on the ecological validity of EF measures for children.
- Found 40 distinct measures that address the ecological validity of EF.
- Observed an increasing trend in research publications on the ecological validity of EF measures over time.
Conclusions:
- There is a growing recognition of the importance of ecological validity in EF assessments for children.
- Future research should explore the relationship between environmental context and EF performance.
- Future research should incorporate parental input and focus on capturing children's EF strengths effectively.
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