Examination of executive functions in adolescents in terms of socio-demographic variables and perceived emotional abuse

In this study, the executive functioning skills of adolescents were examined in terms of various demographic variables and perceived emotional abuse. Relational survey model designed with a quantitative research method was used in the study. The participant group of the study included 156 high school students between the ages of 15-17 in Bartın province and the districts and villages of Bartın province, who continued their education in the 2022-2023 academic year. The computer format of the Wisconsin Card Matching Test was used to determine the executive functioning skills of the participants, the "Childhood Traumas Scale" was used for the perceived emotional abuse, emotional neglect, over protectiveness and overcontrol behaviors, and the "Personal Information Form" was used to obtain information about demographic variables. Kruskal-Wallis H test, Mann-Whitney U test and simple linear regression were used to analyze the data. According to the results of the analysis, it was seen that the participants' executive functioning skills differed significantly according to the place of residence and family type among the demographic variables, but did not differ significantly according to gender, age, mother's education level, father's education level, mother's occupation, father's occupation and number of siblings. No significant difference was observed in the regression analysis results between the participants' executive functions and perceived emotional abuse, emotional neglect, over-protectiveness and over-control variables. The findings of the study were discussed within the scope of the relevant literature and suggestions were made for researchers and practitioners for future studies in line with the results of the study.