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This research examines the developmental trajectories of executive functioning in young children from infancy to age 5.

April 4, 2026Open Access

Longitudinal profiles of executive functioning from infancy to 5 years of age—A FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study

Puntos clave

This research examines the developmental trajectories of executive functioning in young children from infancy to age 5.
Used latent profile analysis to assess executive function performance at three ages: 8 months, 2.5 years, and 5 years.
Included children from the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, totaling 830 participants.
Identified profiles based on performance in tasks, particularly focusing on working memory.
Three distinct profiles of executive functioning were identified: below average, above average, and a second below average profile.
14.2% of children showed a constant below average executive functioning profile.
Expected associations were confirmed between lower average profiles, male sex, and diminished cognitive performance.

Resumen

Methodological challenges diminish the number and reliability of longitudinal studies on executive functions (EFs) starting in infancy. To address this, the current study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to examine EF task performance across three age points: 8 months, 2.5 years, and 5 years. Participants were children (N = 830; 55.5% boys; > 95% White) from the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study. Three profiles were identified: constant below average EF profile (14.2%), and two average EF profiles differentiated by Spin the Pots performance (working memory) at 5 years (above average 29.8%, below average 56%). Expected associations between the below average EF profile, male sex, and lower general cognitive performance were found, further supporting the validity of the profiles.

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