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Linking executive function skills and physiological challenge response: Piecewise growth curve modeling
Author(s) -
Obradović Jelena,
Finch Jenna E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
developmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.801
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1467-7687
pISSN - 1363-755X
DOI - 10.1111/desc.12476
Subject(s) - psychology , function (biology) , piecewise , cognitive psychology , growth curve (statistics) , developmental psychology , statistics , mathematical analysis , mathematics , evolutionary biology , biology
This study employed piecewise growth curve modeling to examine how children's executive function ( EF ) skills relate to different components of children's physiological response trajectory – initial arousal, reactivity, and recovery. The sample included 102 ethnically diverse kindergarteners, whose EF skills were measured using standard tasks and observer ratings. Physiological response was measured via changes in respiratory sinus arrhythmia ( RSA ) in response to a laboratory socio‐cognitive challenge. Children's cool and hot EF skills were differentially related to both linear and quadratic components of RSA response during the challenge. Greater hot EF skills and assessor report of EF skills during laboratory visit were related to quicker RSA recovery after the challenge. These findings demonstrate that children's physiological response is a dynamic process that encompasses physiological recovery and relates to children's self‐regulation abilities.