Latent profiles of executive functioning in neurologically healthy young adults: the role of individual differences in hemispheric asymmetry

Update Item Information
Title Latent profiles of executive functioning in neurologically healthy young adults: the role of individual differences in hemispheric asymmetry
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Social & Behavioral Science
Department Psychology
Author Rau, Holly Kristen
Date 2013-08
Description In response to the growing need to understand individual differences in executive functioning (EF) among non-neurologic populations, this study examined two competing theoretical models of EF among healthy, neurologically-intact individuals: the prefrontal convexity model and the hemispheric asymmetry model. A total of 315 neurologically healthy individuals (M = 20.8 years; 50% female) completed two phases of the study. In the first phase (i.e., Model Identification), latent profile analysis was applied to variables measuring the abilities to form, switch, and maintain mental sets under conditions designed to tax the left or right hemisphere (i.e., a modified switching task). In the second phase (i.e., Model Validation), latent clusters from the first phase were compared on a separate EF task (i.e., Attention Network Test; ANT). The Model Identification phase yielded a three-profile solution consistent with the hemispheric asymmetry model. Profile 1 (N=203) was characterized by average EF performances. Profile 2 (N=43) revealed a set maintenance weakness under nonverbal conditions. Profile 3 (N=38) demonstrated a global weakness in cognitive flexibility and a specific weakness on tasks administered under verbal conditions. The Model Validation phase confirmed group/cluster differences (F(4,554) = 5.938, p<.001). Individual differences in EF follow a hemispheric asymmetry model of EF, with approximately 15% of neurologically healthy individuals exhibiting weaknesses in set maintenance and nonverbal processing, and 13% exhibiting weaknesses in set formation/switching and verbal processing.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Executive functioning; Hemispheric asymmetry; Individual difference; Latent profile; Neurologically healthy; Young adult
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name Master of Science
Language eng
Rights Management Copyright © Holly Kristen Rau 2013
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 593,399 bytes
Identifier etd3/id/2572
ARK ark:/87278/s6b88hb3
Setname ir_etd
ID 196148
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6b88hb3
Back to Search Results