The Relationship Between Media Multitasking Behavior and Executive Function in Adolescence: A Replication Study

Abstract

The proliferation of digital gadgets and increased media consumption among adolescents has raised interest and concern regarding possible effects on cognitive functioning. Research investigating this relationship has yielded mixed results. This study aims to replicate the research conducted by Baumgartner et al. concerning the relationship between adolescent media multitasking and executive functioning on a sample of 296 Romanian early adolescents. The same methodology as the original study was followed and its findings were partially replicated. Mainly, results of regression analyses indicated that more media multitasking with media activities was related to more self-reported executive difficulties, but not with performance on three computerized executive functioning tasks. Media multitasking with non-media activities was unrelated to executive functioning. When comparing extreme groups, however, heavier media multitasking was associated with faster performance on the task-shifting and inhibition computerized tasks. Implications for cognitive development and research methodology are discussed.

The association between media multitasking and executive function in Chinese adolescents: Evidence from self-reported, behavioral and fNIRS data

“…On the other hand, there is an emerging pattern of evidence showing no differences between HMMs and LMMs on shifting, or even no association between media multitasking score and shifting (Cardoso-Leite et al, 2016;Gorman & Green, 2016;Minear et al, 2013;Seddon et al, 2018). For example, Rogobete et al (2020) considered media multitasking with media activities and non-media activities, and found that the relationship between media multitasking and shifting was not significant; the researchers further doubted that there was a non-linear relationship between media multitasking and executive function. This finding provides strong evidence to query whether there are significant between-group differences between HMMs and LMMs on shifting aspect with methodological triangulation; and replication studies are therefore needed in the future.…”

“Cognitive control in media multitaskers” ten years on: A meta-analysis

“…For associations with working memory only three studies have used self-report measures (Baumgartner et al, 2014;Magen, 2017;Rogobete et al, 2020). In all three, the WM subscale of the BRIEF was used.…”

“…As with assessments for self-reported WM, only three studies (Baumgartner et al, 2014;Magen, 2017;Rogobete et al, 2020) have used self-report measures to consider associations between media multitasking and task management. In all three cases the shifting subscale of the BRIEF was used.…”

Media use, attention, mental health and academic performance among 8 to 12 year old children

“…Other studies did not always replicate these results Elbe, Sörman, Mellqvist, Brändström, & Ljungberg, 2019;Minear et al, 2013;Seddon, Law, Adams, & Simmons, 2018) or suggested that the relationships between levels of media multitasking and cognitive performance may be non-linear (Cardoso-Leite et al, 2016;Shin, Linke, & Kemps, 2020). The results seem clearer when using surveys and self-reports rather than computerized tests (Magen, 2017): media multitasking has been associated with deficits in self-reported everyday executive and attentional functions (Baumgartner, Weeda, Heijden, & Huizinga, 2014;Magen, 2017;Ralph et al, 2014;Rogobete, Ionescu, & Miclea, 2020) and could be particularly detrimental at younger ages where executive functions develop intensely (Baumgartner, van der Schuur, Lemmens, & te Poel, 2018; see also Srisinghasongkram, Trairatvorakul, Maes, & Chonchaiya, 2020).…”