A Latent Variable Approach to Determining the Structure of Executive Function in Preschool Children
Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Cognition and Development
Abstract
The composition of executive function (EF) in preschool children was examined
using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A sample of 129 children
between 3 and 5 years of age completed a battery of EF tasks. Using performance
indicators of working memory and inhibition similar to previous CFA
studies with preschoolers, we replicated a unitary EF factor structure. Next,
additional performance indicators were included to distinctly measure
working memory, set shifting, and inhibition factors. A two-factor model consisting
of working memory and inhibition fit the data better than both a
single-factor model and a three-factor model. Findings suggest that the structure
of EF in preschoolers that emerges from CFA is influenced by task and
performance indicator selection.
Description
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in the Journal of Cognition and Development on [20/11/2015], available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/15248372.2011.585478
Keywords
Citation
Miller, M., Giesbrecht, G.F., McInerney, J., Kerns, K., & Müller, U. (2012). A latent variable approach to determining the structure of executive function in preschool children. Journal of Cognition and Development, 13, 395-423.