The Risk Perception of the Chinese Diaspora during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Targeting Cognitive Dissonance through Storytelling.

The global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 required risk communications to mitigate the virus' spread. However, social media not only conveyed health information to minimize the contagion, but also distracted from the threat by linking it to an externalized 'other'-primarily those appearing to be of Chinese descent. This disinformation caused the attribution of blame to Chinese people worldwide. In Canada's Greater Toronto Area, Chinese individuals reported widespread public stigma that compounded their risk of contagion; to the degree that it was driven by cognitive dissonance, it generated experiences of social and cultural vulnerability. In this paper, we draw on the aforementioned study's findings to explain how the risk perception and threat appraisal of Chinese diaspora individuals were impacted by different cognitive dissonance pathways. These findings explore how storytelling is a viable intervention with which to target and mitigate cognitive dissonance. Indeed, the mechanisms of cognitive dissonance can modify risk perception and mitigate social and cultural vulnerability, thereby averting potential long-term negative consequences for one's mental health and well-being. We hope our guidance, training educators to target pathways of cognitive dissonance by drawing on storytelling (with humour), can assist them to better convey information in ways that are more inclusive during public health emergencies.

Can cognitive dissonance explain beliefs regarding meritocracy?

Why do economically disadvantaged people often regard inequality as fair? The literature on deliberative justice suggests that people regard inequality as fair when it is proportional to inequality in effort or other inputs - i.e. when it is meritocratic. But in the real-world there is substantial uncertainty over the distribution of income and merit - so what compels disadvantaged people to legitimate their own disadvantage? This paper suggests it is a reaction to cognitive dissonance. When inequality is high, and when people lack control, their only way to reduce dissonance is to convince themselves the distribution is fair. I implement an online experiment to test this theory. Results do not support a cognitive dissonance mechanism behind meritocracy. But they do indicate that disadvantaged individuals are more likely to regard inequality as fair when they lack control. Analysis of qualitative data indicates that deprivation of control engenders a fatalistic response to inequality.

Avoidance of causality outside experiments: Hypotheses from cognitive dissonance reduction.

The avoidance of causality in the design, analysis and interpretation of non-experimental studies has often been criticised as an untenable scientific stance, because theories are based on causal relations (and not associations) and a rich set of methodological tools for causal analysis has been developed in recent decades. Psychology researchers (n = 106 with complete data) participated in an online study presenting a causal statement about the results of a fictitious paper on the potential effect of drinking clear water for years on the risk of dementia. Two randomised groups of participants were then asked to reflect on the conflict between the goal of approaching a causal answer and the prevailing norm of avoiding doing so. One of the two groups was also instructed to think about possible benefits of addressing causality. Both groups then responded to a list of 19 items about attitudes to causal questions in science. A control group did this without reflecting on conflict or benefits. Free-text assessments were also collected during reflection, giving some indication of how and why causality is avoided. We condense the exploratory findings of this study into five new hypotheses about the how and why, filtered through what can be explained by cognitive dissonance reduction theory. These concern the cost of addressing causality, the variety of ways in which dissonance can be reduced, the need for profound intervention through teaching and social aspects. Predictions are derived from the hypotheses for confirmation trials in future studies and recommendations for teaching causality. Open data are provided for researchers' own analyses.

Mediating and Moderating Variables in the Relationship Between Emotional Demands and Teachers’ Emotional Exhaustion / [Variables mediadoras y moderadoras de la relación entre exigencias emocionales y agotamiento emocional en docentes]

Teachers tend to suffer high levels of emotional exhaustion, a variable that is associated with poor mental health and lower job performance. The present study analyzed how emotional demands, emotional dissonance, and self-efficacy to cope with stress interact in predicting teachers’ emotional exhaustion. To conduct this longitudinal research, 108 Andalusian teachers (57.3% women; mean age = 45.30, SD = 8.68) completed an online survey at three different time points. Moderated mediation analysis suggested that emotional dissonance mediated the relationship between emotional demands and emotional exhaustion, with self-efficacy acting as a moderator between the two. Teachers who perceived high emotional demands saw their levels of emotional dissonance increase, which in turn led to an increase in emotional exhaustion. In addition, self-efficacy acted as a protective factor against emotional exhaustion, buffering the negative effect of emotional dissonance. Strengthening these protective variables through interventions that increase levels of self-efficacy to cope with stress and reduce levels of emotional dissonance could help prevent teachers’ emotional exhaustion.(AU)

Los docentes tienden a sufrir un nivel elevado de agotamiento emocional, variable que se asocia con una mala salud mental y un bajo desempeño laboral. El estudio analiza cómo interactúan en la prevención del agotamiento emocional de los docentes las exigencias emocionales, la disonancia emocional y la autoeficacia para afrontar el estrés. Para llevar a cabo esta investigación de carácter longitudinal, 108 profesores andaluces (57.3% mujeres, edad media = 45.30, DT = 8.68) cumplimentaron una encuesta online en tres momentos distintos. El análisis de mediación moderada indicaba que la disonancia emocional mediaba la relación existente entre las exigencias emocionales y el agotamiento emocional, actuando como moderadora entre ambos la autoeficacia. Los profesores que percibieron exigencias emocionales elevadas vieron aumentar su grado de disonancia emocional, lo que a su vez aumentó el agotamiento emocional. Además, la autoeficacia actuó como factor protector del agotamiento emocional, amortiguando el efecto negativo de la disonancia emocional. Reforzar estas variables protectoras a través de intervenciones que aumenten el grado de autoeficacia para afrontar el estrés y reduzcan la disonancia emocional podría ayudar a prevenir el agotamiento emocional de los docentes.(AU)

Does effort increase or decrease reward valuation? Considerations from cognitive dissonance theory.

The present research tested the effect of manipulated perceived control (over obtaining the outcomes) and effort on reward valuation using the event-related potential known as the Reward Positivity (RewP). This test was conducted in an attempt to integrate two research literatures with opposite findings: Effort justification occurs when high effort leads to high reward valuation, whereas effort discounting occurs when high effort leads to low reward valuation. Based on an examination of past methods used in these literatures, we predicted that perceived control and effort would interactively influence RewP. Consistent with the effort justification literature (cognitive dissonance theory), when individuals have high perceived control, high effort should lead to more reward valuation than low effort should. Consistent with the effort discounting literature, when individuals have low perceived control, low effort should lead to more reward valuation than high effort should. Results supported these interactive and integrative predictions.

Adolescents' perceptions of substance use messaging in the age of social media: resolving cognitive dissonance.

This study interviewed adolescents about their exposure to and perceptions of substance-related social media content and substance use prevention messages. Participants (analytic sample N = 30, age 14-18 years, in CA, USA, 40% male) were recruited from Instagram and Facebook for online semi-structured interviews. An interview transcript coding guide was developed based on the interview questions and emerging themes. Most (27/30) participants reported exposure to peers using substances on social media through posts made on personal accounts. All peer posts portrayed substance use in a positive light. Most participants reported exposure to formal prevention messages on social media (i.e. public service announcements) (19/30) and in schools (i.e. drug education) (21/30; 70.0%) teaching the negative consequences of substance use. Responses to the differences between peer posts and prevention messages included dismissing prevention messages (7/30), believing that their peers were more credible (4/30), desiring comprehensive substance information (3/30) and believing that the no-use message was ineffective for at-risk youth (4/30). Messages shared by peers online significantly contrasted with prevention messages (i.e. public service announcements and drug education). This difference appeared to undermine prevention message credibility. Balanced prevention messages acknowledging the spectrum of risk and reward when using different substances may reduce dissonance and increase engagement.

A cognitive dissonance body image intervention 'Free Being Me' delivered by guide leaders to adolescent girl guides in India: A pilot and acceptability trial.

This pilot study assessed the acceptability and pre-post intervention effects of a cognitive dissonance-based body image intervention, Free Being Me, delivered by Guide leaders to adolescent girls in India. Girls aged 11-14 years (Mage = 12.6, N = 117), who were members of the national scouting and guiding association of India, received the intervention across five weekly 1-hour group sessions. The primary outcome (body esteem) and secondary outcomes (self-esteem, internalisation of appearance ideals, negative and positive affect, and life disengagement) were measured pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention. The intervention was acceptable. Adolescent girls reported high levels of comfort (89%), enjoyment (90%), and perceived importance (92%) with suggestions for improvement including more interactive activities. Facilitator adherence and competence delivering Free Being Me was rated good. Significant within-groups pre-post intervention improvements in body esteem (Cohen's d = 0.28) and reductions in internalisation of appearance ideals (Cohen's d = 0.49) were identified. No changes to self-esteem, negative or positive affect, or life disengagement were observed. This study suggests that Free Being Me is acceptable for community-based delivery and Guide leader format with promising pre-post intervention effects. Going forward, a randomised controlled trial is necessary to make confident interpretations on the effectiveness of Free Being Me.

Spanish validation of the Gamblers’ Belief Questionnaire (GBQ) / Validación española de la escala“Gamblers Belief Questionnaire (GBQ)”

The objective of this study is to validate The Gambler’s Beliefs Questionnaire, a measure of gamblers’ cognitive distortions. The psychometric properties of the scale were analyzed with a Spanish sample of 515 participants aged from 16 and 24 years. Three scales related to pathological gambling (SOGS-RA and MAGS) and to social desirability were administered. A cross-sectional validation was performed, obtaining a scale with 21 items distributed in two independent factors (Luck/perseverance and Illusion of control). The internal consistency (α = .93) and test-retest reliability (r = .69) are adequate. GBQ scale scores correlate significantly with other measures of pathological gambling (SOGS: r = .35; MAGS: r = .40, both p ≤ .001). Higher levels of cognitive distortions are associated with a higher likelihood of being classified as a problem or at-risk gambler. GBQ scores are influenced by social desirability, although the effect sizes are small (r below .20). The GBQ is a useful instrument in the diagnosis and evaluation of the treatment of Spanish youths and adolescents with gambling problems. (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio es la validación española del “Gamblers Belief Questionnaire (GBQ)” que mide distorsiones cognitivas relacionadas con los problemas de juego. Se analizan las propiedades psicométricas de la escala en 515 jóvenes españoles, de 16 a 24 años. Se administraron tres escalas sobre juego patológico (GBQ, SOGS-RA y MAGS) y deseabilidad social. Se realizó una validación cruzada, obteniéndose una escala de 21 ítems con una estructura bifactorial (Suerte/Perseverancia e Ilusión de Control). La consistencia interna (α = ,93) y estabilidad temporal (r = ,69) de la escala son adecuadas. Las puntuaciones de la escala GBQ correlacionan de forma significativa con otras medidas de juego patológico (SOGS: r = ,35; MAGS: r = ,40, ambas p ≤ ,001). Un mayor nivel de distorsiones cognitivas se asocia a mayor probabilidad de ser clasificado como jugador con problemas o de riesgo. Las puntuaciones del GBQ están influenciadas por la deseabilidad social, aunque los tamaños del efecto son pequeños (r menores a ,20). El GBQ es un instrumento útil en el diagnóstico y evaluación de tratamientos de jóvenes y adolescentes españoles con problemas de juego. (AU)

Evaluation of a novel eating disorder prevention program for young women with type 1 diabetes: A preliminary randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether the Body Project prevention program adapted for young women with type 1 diabetes (Diabetes Body Project) reduces eating disorder (ED) risk factors and symptoms. METHODS: Young women (aged 15-30) at high-risk for EDs due to having type 1 diabetes and body image concerns (N = 55) were randomized to virtually delivered Diabetes Body Project groups or an educational control condition, completing measures at pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Diabetes Body Project versus the control participants showed significantly greater reductions in thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, diabetes distress, diabetes eating pathology, and ED symptoms by posttest, and greater reductions in diabetes eating pathology and ED symptoms, and greater improvements in quality of life by 3-month follow-up, which were medium to large effects (d's ranged from -0.43 to -0.90). Although control participants showed a worsening of glycemic control (time in range) verses Diabetes Body Project participants, this difference was non-significant (d = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: Virtually delivered Diabetes Body Project decreased ED risk factors and symptoms in young women with type 1 diabetes. A well powered randomized controlled trial is warranted to evaluate this intervention over longer follow-up.

The association between passive social network usage and depression/negative emotions with envy as a mediator.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between passive social network usage (PSNU) and depression/negative emotions over time with the mediating role of envy among Vietnamese adolescents. First, it revealed that PSNU had a simultaneous effect on depression/negative emotions as well as at different time points, indicating that social network site behaviors can predict psychological states over time (explained by the social comparison theory). Second, the autoregressive effect also confirmed a potential reciprocal relationship between PSNU and depression, whereas PSNU appeared to have an impact on negative emotions but not the other way around. Specifically, depression at Time 1 was positively associated with PSNU at Time 2, whereas negative emotions did not exhibit a similar pattern (explained by the cognitive dissonance theory). The different associations were interpreted as depression having cognitive elements, while negative emotions were thought to be purely emotional states. The results demonstrated that behavior may potentially have a long-lasting effect on mental health (both negative emotions and depression), while it was depression, rather than negative emotions, that had a long-term effect on behaviors. Third, envy played a mediating role that connected the changes of PSNU and depression/negative emotions. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.

Cognitive Dissonance in the Self-assessed Health in Brazil: A CUB Model Analysis Using 2013 National Health Survey Data.

This study ai ms to verify and analyze the existence of cognitive dissonance in the self-assessment of health by individuals in Brazil, that is, the difference between self-rated health and the health status of individuals. To accomplish this, we use data from the 2013 National Health Survey, which collected the self-assessments that individuals made of their health and information about their health status. This information was used to build indices that seek to represent a person's health status in relation to chronic illnesses, physical and mental well-being, eating habits and lifestyle. To identify the presence of cognitive dissonance, the CUB (Combination of a discrete Uniform and shifted Binomial distributions) model was used, which relates self-assessed health with the developed indices. Cognitive dissonance was identified in self-assessed health in relation to eating habits and lifestyle, and this dissonance may be associated with a present bias in the self-assessment of health in Brazil.

Dissonance-based prevention of eating pathology in non-Western cultures: A randomized controlled trial of the Body Project among young Saudi adult women.

The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of an adapted version of the Body Project for young Saudi women, and to determine the impact of compliance (i.e. adherence to homework and attendance) on outcomes. A randomized controlled trial was used, allocating Saudi undergraduate females (N = 92; mean age = 20.48 years; SD = 2.28) to either a culturally-adapted version of the Body Project or a health education control condition. Participants completed self-report measures of eating pathology, body image, depression and social anxiety before and following the interventions and at three-month follow-up. Interaction terms showed that, relative to the control group, the intervention group had significantly reduced levels of eating concerns, body dissatisfaction and depression, but social anxiety did not change significantly in either group. Levels of session attendance and homework completion did not influence outcomes. Thus, the Body Project was effective for Saudi women in reducing eating pathology, body image dissatisfaction, and depression, though not social anxiety. This outcome indicates the value of the Body Project as a prevention tool when adapted to non-Western cultures.

Cognitive dissonance increases spine loading in the neck and low back.

Cognitive dissonance refers to a state where two psychologically inconsistent thoughts, behaviours, or attitudes are held at the same time. The objective of this study was to explore the potential role of cognitive dissonance in biomechanical loading in the low back and neck. Seventeen participants underwent a laboratory experiment involving a precision lowering task. To establish a cognitive dissonance state (CDS), study participants were provided negative feedback on their performance running counter to a pre-established expectation that their performance was excellent. Dependent measures of interest were spinal loads in the cervical and lumbar spines, calculated via two electromyography-driven models. The CDS was associated with increases to peak spinal loads in the neck (11.1%, p < .05) and low back (2.2%, p < .05). A greater CDS magnitude was also associated with a greater spinal loading increase. Therefore, cognitive dissonance may represent a risk factor for low back/neck pain that has not been previously identified.Practitioner summary: Upon establishing a cognitive dissonance state in a group of participants, spinal loading in the cervical and lumbar spines were increased proportional to the magnitude of the cognitive dissonance reported. Therefore, cognitive dissonance may represent a risk factor for low back and neck pain that has not been previously identified.

COVID-19 risk perception, cognitive dissonance, and vaccine hesitancy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that despite having high risk for severe disease, some individuals had low-risk perception and consequently they refused vaccination. This was more common among individuals with distrust in the government and the scientific organizations. Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person participates in an action that goes against one's beliefs. In order to reduce the dissonance, the individual often avoids the action. Recently, dissonance-based interventions have been shown to be effective in changing various health, environmental, and social behaviors. The impact of these interventions may persist for several years. Cognitive dissonance may be another mechanism for vaccine refusal among people with mistrust in the system. There is a need to investigate the role of cognitive dissonance in vaccine refusal and the effectiveness of dissonance-based interventions to reduce vaccine hesitancy among individuals with high risk for severe disease and low vaccination rates.

Efficacy of virtual delivery of a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program and evaluation of a donation model to support sustained implementation.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether the Body Project prevention program reduces eating disorder risk factors and symptoms when implemented via synchronous video telepsychiatry, which could markedly increase the reach of this intervention and test whether a pay-it-forward donation model could support sustained implementation of this intervention. METHOD: Young women at high risk for eating disorders because of body image concerns (N = 75; age range 16-27) were randomized to Body Project groups delivered virtually by peer educators or a waitlist control condition; participants who completed the Body Project for free because of past donations were encouraged to donate money so that this intervention could be provided for free to others. RESULTS: Participants randomized to virtually delivered Body Project groups showed significantly or marginally greater pretest-to-posttest reductions in pursuit of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, dieting, negative affect, and eating disorder symptoms than controls. The average effect was large (d = .79), which was 49% larger than the average effect observed previously for in-person peer-educator-delivered Body Project groups (d = .53; [.76-.53 = .23/.53 = 49%]). However, only 3.6% of participants donated money to support future implementation of this intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence that the Body Project produced large reductions in eating disorder risk factors and symptoms when implemented virtually and that the effects were larger than for in-person Body Project groups suggests it would be useful to implement this prevention program virtually, which could expand the reach of this intervention. Future studies should evaluate alternative methods for supporting sustained implementation of this prevention program. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Implementation factors that predict larger effects from a peer educator delivered eating disorder prevention program at universities.

OBJECTIVE: Identify implementation factors, including intervention, facilitator, participant, and college factors, that were associated with larger reductions in eating disorder symptoms for undergraduates who completed a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program delivered by peer educators in an implementation support trial. The goal was to determine how to maximize the effects of this prevention program in future implementation efforts. METHOD: We recruited 63 universities with peer educator programs and randomly assigned them to three levels of implementation support for delivery of an evidence-based eating disorder prevention program (the Body Project). The present report investigated whether several intervention, facilitator, participant, and college characteristics were associated with the magnitude of reductions in eating disorder symptoms among 1,387 undergraduates who completed the Body Project. RESULTS: Significantly greater reductions in eating disorder symptoms were found for the four-session versus two-session version of the Body Project (d = -.36), when Body Project groups were delivered virtually versus in-person (d = -.22), when observation-based supervision was provided to peer educators during intervention implementation versus when it was not (d = -.15), and for larger versus smaller universities (d = -.24). Although effects were small, the additive effect was medium (d = -.50). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that if the goal is to optimize the effects of the Body Project, peer educator programs at universities should implement the full four-session version of the prevention program that contains all of the dissonance-inducing activities and home exercises, implement this prevention program virtually, and provide supervision to facilitators implementing this prevention program. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Social Verification Theory: A New Way to Conceptualize Validation, Dissonance, and Belonging.

ACADEMIC ABSTRACT: In the present review, we propose a theory that seeks to recontextualize various existing theories as functions of people's perceptions of their consistency with those around them. This theory posits that people seek social consistency for both epistemic and relational needs and that social inconsistency is both negative and aversive, similar to the experience of cognitive dissonance. We further posit that the aversive nature of perceiving social inconsistency leads people to engage in various behaviors to mitigate or avoid these inconsistencies. When these behaviors fail, however, people experience chronic social inconsistency, which, much like chronic rejection, is associated with physical and mental health and well-being outcomes. Finally, we describe how mitigation and avoidance of social inconsistency underlie many seemingly unrelated theories, and we provide directions for how future research may expand on this theory. PUBLIC ABSTRACT: In the present review, we propose that people find inconsistency with those around them to be an unpleasant experience, as it threatens people's core need to belong. Because the threat of reduced belongingness evokes negative feelings, people are motivated to avoid inconsistency with others and to mitigate the negative feelings that are produced when it inevitably does arise. We outline several types of behaviors that can be implemented to avoid or mitigate these inconsistencies (e.g., validation, affirmation, distancing, etc.). When these behaviors cannot be implemented successfully, people experience chronic invalidation, which is associated with reduced physical and mental health and well-being outcomes. We discuss how invalidation may disproportionately affect individuals with minoritized identities. Furthermore, we discuss how belongingness could play a key role in radicalization into extremist groups.

Expert peer facilitation of the EVERYbody Project: A randomized-controlled evaluation of a diversity-focused, dissonance-based, universal body image program for college students.

OBJECTIVE: A novel peer facilitation model was used to deliver a two session, dissonance-based, inclusive body image intervention that critically examines how internalized size-based oppression intersects with race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability. METHOD: The EVERYbody Project was open to all college students and delivered by "expert" peer facilitators with body image and diversity experience and advanced facilitation skills. Recruitment was halted due to COVID-19; 90 students in the Northwest US (M age = 19.83 years, SD = 2.38; 80% female-identified, 13% male-identified, 7% gender expansive) were randomized to receive the EVERYbody Project or a video-based, low-dissonance comparison intervention. RESULTS: Around half of students (56%) held one or more specific socially marginalized identity (26% with a racial or ethnic identity other than white and non-Hispanic, 39% with a sexual identity other than straight, 7% with a gender identity other than cisgender). The EVERYbody Project produced greater reductions in three outcomes associated with poor body image (internalized appearance norms, body dissatisfaction, and negative affect) compared to the video intervention through 3-month follow-up (ps < .003) with medium between group effects. Both conditions experienced small reductions in eating disorder psychopathology over time. DISCUSSION: Expert peer facilitation may be a viable delivery model for inclusive, diversity-focused dissonance-based body image programs. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study explored a novel facilitation approach for a diversity-focused body image program for college students. A brief (4 h) dissonance-based program was open to all college students and delivered by "expert" diverse peer leaders who were screened for facilitation readiness. Body image and related outcomes were improved through 3-month follow-up relative to a comparison condition, suggesting that expert peer facilitation may be a viable option for delivering universal, inclusive body image programming.

Choice Reminder Modulates Choice-Induced Preference Change in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Choices not only reflect preference but also shape preference. The choice-induced preference change (CIPC) occurs when making a decision modifies people's attitudes about the options. When people rate a series of items and then must choose between 2 items rated as equally attractive, they later rate the unchosen item as less attractive than before. One explanation is that the choice and the equal preference for 2 options cause a psychological discomfort known as cognitive dissonance, which can be reduced by changing the preference. The current study aims to investigate the age-related differences in the CIPC effect, and how an explicit reminder of the previous choice modulates this effect. METHODS: Using an artifact-controlled free-choice paradigm, with a sample of 79 younger and 76 older participants, we manipulated the choice reminder in 2 experiments. RESULTS: We found that compared with young adults, older adults are less susceptible to CIPC when their previous choices were not explicitly reminded. After boosting the salience of choice-preference incongruency by reminding participants of their previous choices, older adults showed comparable CIPC as young adults. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that older adults tend to downweigh the information that leads to cognitive dissonance and use this strategy only when such information is relatively implicit. The diminished CIPC in older adults could be one of the emotional regulation strategies that older adults engage in to maintain positive emotional states when making difficult decisions.

Evidências de validade do teste informatizado para avaliação das funções executivas / Evidence of validity of the computerized test for evaluating executive functions / Evidencia de validez de la prueba computarizada para evaluación de funciones ejecutivas

Funções executivas (FE) referem-se ao conjunto de habilidades que, de forma integrada, coordenam o comportamento e a cognição. Assim, o comprometimento no desenvolvimento das FE está ligado a vários desfechos negativos ao longo da vida. Portanto, a avaliação dessas habilidades na infância é essencial para identificar e prevenir prejuízos na vida adulta. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar evidências de validade do Teste Informatizado para Avaliação das Funções Executivas (Tafe) pelo critério de idade e pelo padrão de correlação entre medidas do TAFE e outras medidas de FE. Para isso, foi utilizada uma amostra de 51 crianças, entre 4 e 10 anos de idade, matriculadas em uma escola privada na cidade de Goiânia (GO), da pré-escola ao 4º ano do ensino fundamental. Como instrumentos, foram utilizados, além do Tafe, as tarefas de Bloco de Corsi, Teste de Trilhas A e B, Teste de Trilhas Pré-Escolares, Teste de Stroop Pré-Escolares e Subteste Dígitos da Escala Wechsler de Inteligência. Foram conduzidas análises estatísticas Kruskal Wallis para verificar a evidência de validade por relação com idade e análises de correlação não paramétrica de Spearman para avaliar as evidências de validade convergente. O instrumento investigado mostrou-se efetivo para discriminar entre as diferentes faixas etárias, assim, sensível ao desenvolvimento das FE. Os resultados obtidos no Tafe correlacionaram-se aos obtidos em outros testes que também avaliaram FE, mostrando claros padrões de convergência. Logo, as análises dos resultados fornecem evidências de validade ao Tafe, derivadas a partir de diferentes estratégias de investigação.(AU)

Executive functions (EF) refer to the set of skills that, in an integrated way, coordinate behavior and cognition. Thus, the commitment in developing EF is linked to several negative outcomes throughout life. Therefore, the assessment of these abilities in childhood is essential to identify and prevent possible harm in adult life. This study aimed to investigate evidences of validity of the Computerized Test for Evaluation of Executive Functions (TAFE) by the age criterion and by the pattern of correlation between TAFE measures and other EF measures. To this end, a sample of 51 children, between 4 and 10 years old, enrolled in a private school in the municipality of Goiânia (GO), from preschool to the 4th year of elementary school, was used. As instruments, in addition to TAFE, the tasks of Corsi Block, Trails Test A and B, Preschool Trails Test, Preschool Stroop Test and the Digits Subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale were used. Kruskal Wallis statistical analyzes were conducted to verify the evidence of validity by age criteria and Spearman's nonparametric correlation analysis to assess evidence of convergent validation. The instrument investigated was effective to discriminate between different age groups, thus being sensitive to the development of EF. The results obtained in TAFE were correlated with those obtained in other tests that also assess FE, showing patterns of convergence. Therefore, the analysis of the results provides validation evidence to TAFE, derived from different investigation methods.(AU)

Las funciones ejecutivas (FE) se refieren al conjunto de habilidades que coordinan la conducta y la cognición. Así, el deterioro en el desarrollo de FE está relacionado con varios resultados negativos durante la vida. Por tanto, la valoración de estas habilidades en la infancia es fundamental para identificar y prevenir posibles daños en la vida adulta. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la evidencia de validez de la Prueba Computarizada para Evaluación de Funciones Ejecutivas (Tafe) por el criterio de edad y convergencia entre las medidas Tafe y otras medidas de FE. Para ello, se utilizó una muestra de 51 niños, de entre 4 y 10 años de edad, matriculados en un colegio privado de Goiânia (Goiás, Brasil) desde la preescolar hasta 4.º de primaria. Como instrumentos, además del Tafe, se utilizaron las tareas de Bloque de Corsi, el Test de los senderos A y B, el Test de los Senderos Preescolares, el Test de Stroop Preescolar y la Subprueba de Dígitos de la Escala Wechsler de Inteligencia. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos de Kruskal Wallis para verificar la validez por criterios de edad y análisis de correlación no-paramétrica de Spearman para evaluar la evidencia de validez convergente. Tafe demostró ser efectivo para discriminar entre diferentes grupos de edad, así es sensible al desarrollo de FE. Los resultados en Tafe se correlacionaron con los obtenidos en otras pruebas de FE, lo que muestra claros patrones de convergencia. Por tanto, el análisis aporta evidencias de validez para Tafe, derivadas de diferentes estrategias de investigación.(AU)