Examining the Effects of Household Chaos on Child Executive Functions: A Meta-Analysis

• Published in: Psychological bulletin 2021-01, Vol.147 (1), p.16-32
• Main Authors: Andrews, Krysta, Atkinson, Leslie, Harris, Madeleine, Gonzalez, Andrea
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Childhood Development; Children; Cognitive functioning; Evaluation; Executive control; Executive Function; Home Environment; Human; Informants; Measurement; Meta-analysis; Moderators; Quasi Experimental Methods; Questionnaires; Respondents; Self regulation; Systematic review; Temperament
• ISSN: 0033-2909; 1939-1455
• DOI: 10.1037/bul0000311

Household chaos-characterized by disorganization and instability within the home-is inversely associated with child executive functioning and effortful control, although a quantitative synthesis of the findings is currently lacking. This meta-analysis incorporated 35 studies with 36 independent effect sizes including 16,480 children. Several moderators were assessed, the most fundamental involving method (i.e., informant-completed questionnaire vs. direct assessment) of assessing executive functions. The analyses revealed a significant overall effect of r = .16. Only measurement approach of executive functions significantly moderated this association: Informant-completed questionnaires yielded an effect of r = .23, as compared with direct assessment, r = .11; however, both effects were significant. Based on substantive and statistical considerations, questionnaire and direct assessment effects were then meta-analyzed separately. Although effect sizes proved heterogeneous in the context of questionnaires, analyses revealed no significant moderators. Within direct assessment effects, both household chaos dimensions were significantly related to child executive functions, but instability was a stronger correlate (r = .17) than disorganization (r = .06). Results highlight the need for fuller investigation of differences in construct measurement presented by questionnaire and direct assessment approaches to child executive functions. At present, it appears prudent to adopt a multimethod approach to assessment. Ultimately, a greater focus on quasi-experimental designs examining the mechanisms by which events destabilize child executive functions is essential to a rigorous understanding of the relation between environmental features and child cognitive function. Public Significance Statement This meta-analysis provides evidence of the direct negative effect of household chaos on child executive functioning. It also contributes to the ongoing discussion regarding strategies of measuring executive functioning in children, with a multimethod, longitudinal approach potentially being most robust. Further, it highlights the exacerbating effects of familial dynamics on the impact of household chaos on child executive functioning, and in particular the importance of mitigating levels of instability in their lives.