Stroop Color-Word Interference Test: Normative data for Spanish-speaking pediatric population

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• The Stroop Word-Color Interference test is a key measure of executive function.
• Normative data are essential for accurate interpretation of cognitive tests in diverse populations.
• Existing normative data for Spanish-speaking pediatric populations are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish comprehensive normative data for the Stroop Word-Color Interference test.
• To cover a large, diverse Spanish-speaking pediatric sample across multiple countries.
• To provide a robust reference for neuropsychological assessments in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A large sample of 4,373 healthy children from nine Latin American countries and Spain participated.
• Participants completed the Stroop Word-Color Interference test as part of a broader neuropsychological assessment.
• Normative scores were generated using multiple linear regressions, considering age, age squared, sex, and parental education level.

Main Results:

• Age demonstrated a significant effect on all Stroop scores, with scores generally increasing with age.
• Age squared, parental education, and sex also showed significant effects on various Stroop subtest scores across different countries.
• Specific patterns of influence varied by country and by Stroop subtest (Word, Color, Word-Color, Interference).

Conclusions:

• This study represents the largest normative dataset for the Stroop Word-Color Interference test in a Spanish-speaking pediatric population globally.
• The generated norms will enhance the accuracy of interpreting the Stroop test in clinical and research settings.
• Neuropsychologists in Spanish-speaking countries now have a more reliable tool for pediatric cognitive assessment.