Perceptual inhibition In children: convergent and clinical validity of a computerized conjunction visual search task

Abstract

Inhibition is one of the main Executive Functions, due to its fundamental role in cognitive and social development. Objectives. This paper aims to develop two validation studies: (1) to evaluate the convergent validity criteria of a computerized Conjunction Visual Search Task (CVST), and (2) to analyze the clinical validity of the same task. Methods. In study 1, 41 children (MAge= 8.49; SD=1.47) were intentionally selected from a school in Mar del Plata (Argentina). The instruments were the CVST of the TAC (Tareas de Autorregulaci¨®n Cognitiva), and Keys and Search of Symbols of the Wechsler Scale. The Study 2 analyzes the differences between children with and without ADHD diagnosis, and seeks to establish those variables with greater discriminant power. A sample of 49 children between 6 and 12 years of age, assigned to two groups: Clinical (ADHD combined subtype), consisting of children belonging to specialized centers in Barcelona, Spain (n=19; MAge = 9, 84; SD=1.83), and Control of an incidental sample without pathology (n =30; MAge=10.27; SD=0.83). Results. Statistically significant association (¦Ö2=7.18, p =.02) between performance on the task of VST and Search of Symbols of the WISC were found. The performance showed significant differences between the two groups (Lambda by Wilks= .158, p <.001; AUC = .706, p <.05), for the average TR of 32 distracters. Conclusion. The CVST presents solid indexes of convergent and clinical validity that make it a valid instrument for the measurement of the perceptual inhibition.