A latent variable approach to determining the structure of executive function in preschool children.
Open accessAbstract
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.
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Only a single unitary factor or two factors may be evident in preschool children.
“although only a single unitary factor (e.g., Wiebe et al., 2008, 2011) or two factors (Miller et al., 2012a) may be evident in preschool children.”
From Advancing understanding of executive function impairments and psychopathology: bridging the gap between clinical and cognitive approaches (2015) · cites this paper as Miller et al., 2012a
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- Authors
- Miller, M. R., Giesbrecht, G. F., Müller, U., McInerney, R. J., & Kerns, K. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Victoria (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Miller, Michael R.
- Venue
- Journal of Cognition and Development
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-07
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 395-423
- ISSN
- 1524-8372 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7647
- OpenAlex
- W2055701738
- Cited by
- 272
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 25.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- Locations
- Journal of Cognition and Development (publishedVersion)
- Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Keywords
- executive function, preschool children, factor structure, working memory, inhibition, set-shifting, performance indicators, task selection, cognitive development
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