Socioeconomic status is a predictor of neurocognitive performance of early female adolescents

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies have shown that high socioeconomic status (SES) is signicantly associated withinhibitory control, working memory, verbal comprehension and IQ. However, in the Asian setting, with itsprevailing poverty, information about the inuence of SES on cognitive development of female adolescents islimited. This study was aimed to investigate the association between SES and neurocognitive performance ofearly female adolescents in Sri Lanka.Methods: Female adolescents aged 11–14 years (n = 200) of low and middle SES were studied to assess neu-rocognitive function. After obtaining baseline data, eight subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children(WISC –IV), Test Of Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI-3) and two computer-based executive function tests (inhi-bition and visuo-spatial working memory) were administered to assess neurocognitive measures of the aboveadolescents. The results were compiled into a data base and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software.Results: Higher SES was associated with higher performance in all neurocognitive tests. Low SES adolescentsobtained signicantly poor test scores for executive function test (inhibitory control: p < 0.0001) and for WISC[verbal comprehension index (VCI): p < 0.0001), working memory index (WMI): p < 0.0001 and estimated fullscale IQ (EFSIQ): p < 0.0001)] when compared with middle SES adolescents. Maternal education alone signif-icantly predicts VCI and EFSIQ than the combined inuence of parental education, occupation and income.Psychosocial adversities of adolescents were inversely correlated with VCI (r = −0.30; p < 0.001) and EFSIQ (r=−0.20; p < 0.001) of WISC and mathematics performance (r = −0.34; p < 0.001) at examination in school.Conclusion: Findings of the study revealed the importance of upliftment of SES of the society to improve thecognitive and academic outcomes of low SES individuals.