Sex similarities and differences in executive functions: Examining measurement invariance in a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis with replication

Dror Garbi, Yair Noam, Hila Sorek-Pozes, Uri Hefetz-Haroush, Nachshon Meiran

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Sex differences in three functions, broadly defined as executive functions: Shifting, Inhibition (anti-saccade) and Decision under Load (DUL) were examined in two highly variable samples each of N > 500, 16–18 and 18–50-year-olds. Mental Speed was assessed and executive functions were defined after integrating reaction-time and accuracy and after residualizing from Speed. Measurement Invariance (MI) was examined using multi-group Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Scalar/ strict MI was achieved and inter-factor correlations were statistically equivalent in the two sexes. This measurement equivalence across the sexes legitimized comparing the sexes in latent variable means, showing that men outperformed women in Inhibition and in (the somewhat older) Sample 2 only, women outperformed men in DuL and Shifting. The possibility that these latter differences reflect a particular sample makeup cannot be completely ruled out.

Original languageAmerican English
Article number112712
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume227
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2024

Keywords

  • Executive functions
  • Measurement invariance
  • Sex differences

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Psychology

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