Which cognitive and linguistc factors influence phonological processing in adolescents?
Luciana Cássia de Jesus, Luciana Mendonça Alves, Vanessa de Oliveira Martins-Reis
PMID 34669763WHAT IT FOUND
In adolescents, rapid naming speed and phonological awareness are tightly linked to executive functions and attention, not just reading history.
Slower object naming predicts lower working memory scores. Assessing these cognitive factors is essential when evaluating language difficulties in this age group.
Key findings
01Executive functions and attention were the most significant factors explaining adolescents' performance in phonological awareness and working memory.
02Slower rapid naming of objects was associated with lower working memory scores and a higher chance of being classified as having inadequate working memory.
03Phonological awareness scores decreased when letter naming time increased, indicating a reciprocal relationship between processing speed and sound manipulation skills.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was non-probabilistic and based on convenience, limiting generalizability. The study size was small (83 participants). The cross-sectional design prevents establishing causality between cognitive factors and phonological processing. Text comprehension was removed from the final model due to multicollinearity, so its independent effect is unclear.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that slow rapid naming is purely a phonological deficit. The study shows strong associations with working memory and executive function, so a patient's difficulty might stem from cognitive control or memory capacity rather than sound processing alone.