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The role of executive functions in academic performance and behaviour of university students

2020 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Acosta-Rodas P. , Bolaños-Pasquel, Mónica , Lepe-Martínez N.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is fourfold: first, to analyse the relationship between executive functions and academic performance; second, to identify the level of prediction executive functions have on academic performance; third, to determine the correlation between executive functions and academic performance; and fourth, to compare executive functions based on the level of academic performance. Design/methodology/approach: The sample composed of 175 university students aged between 18 and 36 years (M=21.49, SD=3.22). The EFECO scale, the average student grade and a scale based on the diagnostic criteria for ADHD were used as measurement instruments. Findings: Difficulties in executive functions: Difficulties in working memory (r=−0.30, p=<0.01) and difficulties in conscious supervision of behaviour (r=−0.29, p⩽0.01) have an inversely proportional relationship to academic performance (the greater the deficit of executive functions, the lower the academic performance). The regression analysis showed that executive functions explain 31 per cent of the variance of academic performance (χ2(25)=43.81, p <0.001). The study found that there is a relationship between all the executive functions and students’ behaviour in a medium to large magnitude. Research limitations/implications: A limitation of this study was the size of the sample as it is not representative of the country. Nevertheless, the correlation among the variables studied here has the necessary magnitude for the proposed correlations to be found. Nonetheless, it is necessary that we perform a study with a larger number of participants in order to achieve adequate extrapolation of the results. Practical implications: Data found in this study suggest that low academic performance of university students is related to a lower functionality of their executive functions. Originality/value: The originality of the research lies in relating specific concepts of neuropsychology to explain the academic performance of university students. The research findings allow us to project new studies to improve the executive functions for the benefit of the university student. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.

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Creation of a Children’s Application to Prevent Cyberbullying

2023 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Acosta-Rodas P. , Bolaños-Pasquel, Mónica

Cyberbullying is the intentional and continuous abuse or aggression through the use of technological devices and the Internet. In cyberbullying, there is a dynamic of violence between an aggressor and a victim. This type of practice is very common nowadays, since human activity on the Internet is very important, for example, through the use of social networks, learning on virtual platforms, interaction in videoconferences, online video games, etc. The great problem of cyberbullying lies in the high damage, and it generates in the mental health of the victim, which in many cases can lead to suicide. With this background, this article presents the conceptual design of an application for children that seeks to prevent cyberbullying in the context of children. This smartphone application aims to help children to become aware of their behavior and impact within the virtual spaces in which they coexist. This work seeks to reduce the problem of cyberbullying in the school context. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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The role of inhibitory control in the ability to solve problems of university students

2020 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Acosta-Rodas P. , Ortiz-Granja D. , Lepe-Martínez N. , Valle M.D. , Ramos V. , Bolaños-Pasquel, Mónica

The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of inhibitory control in the ability to solve problems of university students. The sample consisted of 90 young people with typical development (Mage= 20.58, SD= 1.27), 39 females (43.33%) and 51 males (56.7%). The Stroop and the Anillas' Test tasks were applied as instruments. As results, it was found a directly proportional and predictive relationship between inhibitory control and problem-solving of university students (correlation between: r= .34 and .47, p= <.01; prediction: r2= .14, F(1,88)= 13.88, p= <.01). It concludes by reflecting on the contribution of conscious control to solve problems faced by the university student on a day-to-day basis in an efficient way and invites future research in order to train inhibitory control. © 2020 Fundacion para la difusion neurologica en Ecuador - FUNDINE. All rights reserved.

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Rehabilitation of Children Affected by Attention Deficit Disorder

2021 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Acosta-Rodas P. , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Bolaños-Pasquel, Mónica , Saez-Delgado F.

This paper presents the conceptual development of a technological application for the treatment of children with attention deficit disorder (ADD). This technological application will consist on serious-gaming to stimulate the different levels of attention. The first level is focused in attention and stimulates it by identifying stimuli through tactile interaction with the user. The second level is selective attention, for which, the child must select a stimulus leaving the irrelevant stimuli aside. The third level will work on sustained attention, where the child must fulfill a game with a longer duration. The next level will contain an activity to stimulate alternating attention, where the child must solve two tasks by alternating the focus of attention. Finally, for the divided attention, it must be resolved two tasks at the same time. With this application it is expected to improve the child’s motivation in the treatment and provide an intervention tool for the clinician. © 2021, The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.