Variability in neurocognitive performance: Age, gender, and school-related differences in children and from ages 6 to 12

Appl Neuropsychol Child. 2018 Jul-Sep;7(3):277-285. doi: 10.1080/21622965.2017.1312403. Epub 2017 Apr 20.

Abstract

Cognitive development in children presents peculiarities according to groups of age, gender, and type of school. Few studies have been investigating the effects of all these factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the main effects and the interactions of age, gender, and type of school in 419 children from ages 6 to 12 years old evaluated by the Child Brief Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NEUPSILIN-Inf). Older children, children in private schools and girls presented better results. Interactions between all three independent variables were observed in different cognitive domains. The results highlight both the heterogeneity and the influence of multiple factors in children's neuropsychological development.

Keywords: Children; gender; neuropsychological tests; schools.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Child Development / physiology*
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Psychometrics
  • Schools*
  • Sex Factors
  • Task Performance and Analysis