The role of executive function in social competence and behavioral problems in the last year of preschool

Abstract

Diverse studies have found a relationship between executive function, behavioral problems and social competence. However, until this moment, few studies have investigated the role of the distinct components of executive function in social competence, or in the most frequently encountered behavioral problems in childhood education. For this reason, the principal objective of this article is to evaluate the relation of the executive functions with behavioral problems and social competence in infancy. The study included 260 students in their last year of preschool. The results of path analysis showed that all components of executive functions predict, at least, a behavioral problem. However, only deficits in flexibility and working memory predicted adaptability and social abilities. In conclusion, the results of the study showed that of the variables of executive function analyzed, it is deficits in inhibition that relate to the greatest number of behavioral problems; whilst cognitive flexibility is the variable which has the strongest relationship with adaptability and social skills.