Bilingual profiles differentially predict executive functions during early childhood: A latent profile analysis

Recent studies suggest that heterogeneous bilingual experiences implicate different executive functions (EF) in children. Using a latent profile analysis, we conducted a more nuanced investigation of multifaceted bilingual experiences. By concurrently considering numerous bilingual indicators – age...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bilingualism (Cambridge, England) England), 2024-01, Vol.27 (1), p.164-177
Main Authors: Yang, Hwajin, Tng, Germaine Y. Q., Ng, Wee Qin, Yang, Sujin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Bilingualism
Child Language
Child Role
Children
Children & youth
Cognitive Development
Cognitive Processes
Early second language learning
Executive function
Individual Differences
Inhibition
Language acquisition
Language Aptitude
Language Dominance
Language proficiency
Language Usage
Memory
Parent Role
Preschool children
Profiles
Receptive language
Second language learning
Second Languages
Short term memory
Spanish
Vocabulary
Young Children
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Recent studies suggest that heterogeneous bilingual experiences implicate different executive functions (EF) in children. Using a latent profile analysis, we conducted a more nuanced investigation of multifaceted bilingual experiences. By concurrently considering numerous bilingual indicators – age of L1 and L2 acquisition, interactional contexts of verbal exchanges, L1 and L2 proficiency, balance of language use at home and school, and receptive vocabulary – we identified three latent profiles (subgroups): balanced dual-language, dominant single-language, and mixed-interaction. We found that the balanced dual-language and dominant single-language profiles predicted significantly better switching than the mixed-interaction profile. However, no profile differences were found in working memory, prepotent response inhibition, or inhibitory control. These results held true when multiple covariates (age, sex, household income, and nonverbal intelligence) were controlled for. Using a person-centered approach, our study underscores that disparate bilingual experiences asymmetrically predict the shifting facet of EF during early childhood.
ISSN:1366-7289
1469-1841
DOI:10.1017/S1366728923000263