Executive functions scale for university students: UEF-1

Abstract

IntroductionExecutive functions are a set of mental abilities that allow human beings to consciously regulate their behavior and, in a university setting, will have a significant impact on student success during professional training.ObjectiveTo develop a scale to assess executive functions in a university setting.MethodUsing a sample of 1,373 university students from Chile (663) and Ecuador (710) between 17 and 33 years old (Mage = 20.53, SD = 2.34). A study was carried out to analyze the psychometric properties of the instrument using a reliability and validity analysis for a scale that assesses executive functions: conscious monitoring of responsibilities, supervisory attentional system, conscious regulation of behavior, verification of behavior to learn, decision making, conscious regulation of emotions, and management of elements to solve tasks.ResultsAdequate internal consistency parameters were found between α = 0.71 and 0.85. The seven executive functions proposed on the scale correlated proportionally between r = 0.42 and 0.62. In the confirmatory factor analysis, good fit indices were obtained in the model of the seven executive functions x2(413) = 1649.14, p = <0.001, CFI = 0.91, SRMR = 0.04 and RMSEA = 0.04.DiscussionThe research carried out reaches its conclusion stating that the scale that was developed has the psychometric properties to assess executive functions in the Latin American setting. The results regarding previous research and the contribution made in the line of research of executive functions are discussed.

Healthy Lifestyle Related to Executive Functions in Chilean University Students: A Pilot Study

“…In this sense, in a university context, EFs have a significant impact on student success and achievement [10]. In this sense, previous evidence has shown that EFs are linked to academic success, indicating the importance of promoting learning and achievement [5,11,12]. However, EFs not only contribute to the academic performance of students but are also related to mental health, physical health, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and job success [2].…”

“…Furthermore, it has been suggested that EFs are essential for developing adaptive behaviours that involve diverse ways of processing information, different sensory modalities, and executing responses, including aspects related to memory and emotional regulation [3]. Moreover, higher EFs among university students have been associated with various benefits [2,4,5]. Complementary to the above, EFs exhibit varying profiles depending on the developmental stage of humans.…”

“…However, EFs not only contribute to the academic performance of students but are also related to mental health, physical health, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and job success [2]. Complementary to the above, recent studies have shown that EFs could be related to health levels, lifestyle parameters (i.e., physical activity [PA] levels, diet quality, and sleep quality), and emotional regulation [5,[13][14][15][16]. Complementary to the above, EFs may play a potential role in social functioning in university students [17].…”