The global condition of higher education students’ executive function research: a scoping review

TL;DR

This review maps global research on executive function skills in higher education students from 2014 to 2024.

Contribution

It identifies a recent surge in multidisciplinary studies linking executive function to academic success.

Findings

Most studies focus on the relationship between executive function and academic achievement.

Research is predominantly conducted in the northern hemisphere with diverse disciplinary perspectives.

There is a call for more inclusive and international approaches to executive function research in higher education.

Abstract

The fundamental cognitive processes known as executive functions (EF) allow people to control their thoughts, feelings, and actions to engage in goal-directed behaviour. Strong EF abilities are linked to better academic achievement and student success in higher education (HE). This scoping review sought to map the volume and nature of scholarly articles published between 2014 and 2024 that address undergraduate students’ EF skills in HE worldwide. The databases of Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCOHost were thoroughly searched. The review adhered to the scoping review process developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The inclusion criteria were met by 28 articles after 8,237 records were screened. The literature indicates a sharp rise in scholarly attention in the last 3 years, increasingly favouring multidisciplinary work. The association between EF and academic achievement is the focus of many studies, which use quantitative approaches. Most research is carried out in nations in the northern hemisphere and frequently incorporates viewpoints from other disciplines. The conceptual and methodological complexity in this topic is highlighted by the variety of EF components studied and the breadth of assessment techniques employed. To develop successful educational interventions and support measures, our findings emphasise the need for more inclusive, international, and diverse approaches to the research of EF in HE.

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