Building adolescent executive functioning through a play-based curriculum

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dc.contributor.authorOldfield, Jade S. L.
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
dc.contributor.supervisorGibb, Robbin L.
dc.date.accessioned2025-02-14T18:26:50Z
dc.date.available2025-02-14T18:26:50Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.degree.levelMasters
dc.description.abstractExecutive functions (EFs) are critical skills that impact all aspects of a persons’ life and are more predictive of life success than academic achievement (Alloway & Alloway, 2010). While there are different perspectives on how to categorize EF, herein we focus on the three distinct, yet interrelated behaviors of inhibition (the ability to withhold a response), working memory (the ability to keep in mind and manipulate information; Diamond, 2013), and cognitive flexibility (the ability to move from one frame of reference to another; Best & Miller, 2010). Of particular interest is the development of EF during adolescence as this is currently a large gap in the research. Adolescence is a dynamic and fundamental period of growth and change for the brain, during which EF matures (Gee & Casey, 2015). If an environment is not optimal for EF maturation, individuals may have poorer life outcomes (Tooley et al., 2021; Zysset et al., 2018). Therefore, the current study outlines a detailed and accessible play-based intervention that shows promise in helping adolescents build EF and hypothesizes that participants will see improvements in inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. While significant results are seen in the post-test results, they appear to be limited to the domain of inhibition or inhibitory control.
dc.embargoNo
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/6977
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Neuroscience
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Neuroscience
dc.publisher.facultyArts and Science
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)
dc.subjectexecutive function
dc.subjectadolescent
dc.subjectplay
dc.subjectinhibition
dc.subjectneuroscience
dc.subject.lcshDissertations, Academic
dc.subject.lcshExecutive functions (Neuropsychology)
dc.subject.lcshTeenagers--Research
dc.subject.lcshInhibition--Psychological aspects
dc.subject.lcshShort-term memory in adolescence
dc.subject.lcshCognition in adolescence
dc.subject.lcshCognitive learning
dc.subject.lcshPlay therapy--Research
dc.titleBuilding adolescent executive functioning through a play-based curriculum
dc.typeThesis
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