Factors influencing executive function difficulties among adolescents: Analysis using the 15th Panel Study on Korean Children

Purpose: This study examined the environmental, intrapersonal, and interpersonal factors associated with executive function difficulties among Korean adolescents and identified key predictors using data from the 15th wave of the Panel Study on Korean Children.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using weighted data from 1,277 adolescents aged 14 years. Descriptive statistics were used to assess participants’ characteristics; independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were conducted to examine differences in executive function difficulties by sex, socioeconomic status, and physical activity level; Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to examine relationships among variables; and multiple regression identified factors influencing executive function difficulties.Results: Executive function difficulties were significantly correlated with depression (r=.43), self-esteem (r= -.33), parent-child communication (r= -.26), and peer attachment (r= -.24) (all p<.001). Regression analysis showed that depression (β=.33), self-esteem (β= -.12), parent-child communication (β= -.06), and peer attachment (β= -.06) were significant predictors (all p<.001). Socioeconomic status and physical activity were statistically significant but had minimal practical influence. The model explained 21.2% of the variance.Conclusion: Executive function difficulties in adolescents were primarily influenced by emotional and relational factors. These findings highlight the need for nursing and nursing education interventions that strengthen emotional regulation, enhance self-esteem, support positive parent–child communication, and promote healthy peer relationships to improve executive function development during adolescence.