Latent Network Analysis of Executive Functions Across Development
Iris Menu1,2, Grégoire Borst2,3, Arnaud Cachia2,4
1Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, US.
Journal of Cognition
|April 15, 2024
Summary
Executive functions (EFs) develop uniquely across childhood and adolescence. This study reveals inhibition is key in childhood, while updating becomes central in early adolescence, highlighting distinct developmental trajectories.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Executive functions (EFs) are vital for academic, health, and well-being outcomes.
- Prior research indicates EFs differentiate from one factor in childhood to three (inhibition, cognitive flexibility, updating) in adulthood.
- Network models have supported this developmental differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare structural equation modeling (SEM), network modeling, and latent variable network modeling (LVNM) in examining EF development.
- To investigate fine-grained, EF-specific developmental trajectories in children and adolescents.
- To identify the central EF components at different developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- Reanalysis of existing data from 1019 children (ages 7.8–15.3).
- Application of SEM, network models, and the novel LVNM.
- Comparative analysis of the three modeling approaches.
Main Results:
- All three analytical methods supported distinct developmental trajectories for specific EFs.
- Inhibition emerged as the most central EF in childhood.
- Updating became increasingly central in early adolescence.
Conclusions:
- EFs exhibit fine-grained differentiation throughout development, not just a general increase in complexity.
- The choice of analytical method can reveal nuanced insights into EF development.
- Understanding these specific trajectories is crucial for targeted interventions.
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