Variables Influencing Executive Performance in a Healthy Older Adult Population in Ecuador

Abstract

Executive functions have been widely associated with sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, educational level, and cognitive reserve. However, in the Ecuadorian context, there is limited evidence examining how these factors specifically influence abilities such as conceptual problem-solving, feedback utilization, the capacity to modify incorrect strategies, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition. This study aimed to identify which variables are associated with executive performance in healthy adults in Ecuador, employing a quantitative, non-experimental, and correlational design. The sample consisted of 47 healthy participants, selected through purposive sampling from various provinces across the country. Analyses showed that age, educational level, and cognitive reserve were significantly associated with better performance on tasks requiring executive skills. In contrast, no statistically significant associations were found between executive performance and variables such as sex, alcohol or tobacco use, the presence of chronic diseases, or a history of COVID-19 diagnosis. These results provide relevant preliminary evidence to understand the factors influencing executive functioning in the Ecuadorian population and highlight the need to conduct broader research incorporating representative samples, multivariate analyses, and the exploration of other cognitive and sociocultural determinants. This information can contribute to the design of cognitive assessment and health promotion strategies adapted to the national context.