Abstract:
Objective: Previous studies have shown that high socioeconomic status (SES) is signicantly associated withinhibitory control, working memory, verbal comprehension and IQ. However, in the Asian setting, with itsprevailing poverty, information about the inuence 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 signicantly 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 inuence 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.