Executive functions and household chores: Does engagement in chores predict children's cognition?
Deanna L Tepper, Tiffani J Howell, Pauleen C Bennett
PMID 35640882WHAT IT FOUND
Children who do more self-care and family-care chores, like making their own meal or helping with dishes, show better working memory and inhibition.
Pet-care chores did not predict these cognitive skills. This is an association, not proof that chores cause better executive function.
Key findings
01Engagement in self-care and family-care chores significantly predicted working memory and inhibition, whereas pet-care chores did not.
02Self-care chores explained an additional 4.8% of the variance in working memory and 5.3% in inhibition after controlling for age, gender, and disability.
03Family-care chores explained an additional 4.4% of the variance in working memory and 7.4% in inhibition.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study is cross-sectional, so it cannot determine if doing chores improves executive function or if children with better executive function are more likely to do chores. Executive function was measured via parent report (CHEXI), which has low criterion validity compared to performance-based measures. The chore measure (CHORES) assessed the level of assistance required but not the frequency of the behaviour, so it is unknown how often children actually performed the tasks. Data collection occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have influenced family dynamics and chore expectations, though most parents reported no change in their child's chore engagement. The sample was recruited via social media and online forums, which may introduce selection bias.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that prescribing household chores will directly improve a child's executive function. This study found an association, not a causal link, and children with stronger cognitive skills may simply be expected to do more chores.