Relación entre multitarea digital y funciones ejecutivas en jóvenes adultos ecuatorianos

Daysi  Gabriela Zhiña

doi:10.56124/nuna-yachay.v8i15.005

Authors

Daysi Gabriela Zhiña Universidad del Azuay (UDA) https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2352-0585

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56124/nuna-yachay.v8i15.005

Keywords:

attention; cognitive development; digital technology; executive functions; multitasking.

Abstract

Examining the relationship between digital multitasking and executive functions constitutes a priority in contemporary neuropsychology. The objective was to analyze associations between digital multitasking time and executive performance, establish correlations between technological use variables and neuropsychological measures, and compare executive functioning between differentiated digital use groups. An observational correlational comparative design was implemented with 80 young adults aged 21-23 years, stratified into restricted digital use groups (less than 2 hours daily, n=40) and intensive use (more than 6 hours daily, n=40). Instruments included NEUROPSI batteries, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and an Adapted Digital Multitasking Questionnaire. Results evidenced significant negative correlations between digital multitasking time and executive performance, ranging from r = -.434 to r = -.567 (p < .001). Group comparisons revealed significant differences in all neuropsychological measures, with F values between 28.94 and 71.45 (p < .001) and large effect sizes (η²p = .270 to .478). The intensive use group showed lower performance in sustained attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, as well as higher number of perseverative errors. Findings confirm that intensive exposure to digital multitasking associates with deterioration in executive functions in young adults.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Anderson, M., & Jiang, J. (2018). Teens, social media & technology 2018. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/

Cardoso-Leite, P., Kludt, R., Vignola, G., Ma, W. J., Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2021). Technology consumption and cognitive control: Contrasting action video game experience with media multitasking. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 83(4), 1618-1636. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-020-02244-x

Chen, Q., Yan, Z., Wang, E., Wang, G., & Zhang, X. (2020). Effects of multitasking on cognitive performance: A meta-analysis. Computers & Education, 154, 103907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103907

Farkaš, I. (2024). Transforming Cognition and Human Society in the Digital Age. Biological Theory, 1-13. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13752-024-00483-3

Grajeda, J. D. R. L., Garzo, E. R. F., & de la Cruz Sierra, V. E. (2022). Neuropsicología de las funciones ejecutivas. CUNZAC: Revista Académica, 5(2), 99-106. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=9975860

Grant, D. A., & Berg, E. (1948). A behavioral analysis of degree of reinforcement and ease of shifting to new responses in Weigl-type card-sorting problem. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38(6), 404-411. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0059831

Himi, S. A., Bühner, M., Schwaighofer, M., Klapetek, A., & Hilbert, S. (2019). Multitasking behavior and its related constructs: Executive functions, working memory capacity, relational integration, and divided attention. Cognition, 189, 275-298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2019.04.010

Hirsch, P., Koch, I., & Karbach, J. (2019). Putting a stereotype to the test: The case of gender differences in multitasking costs in task-switching and dual-task situations. PLOS ONE, 14(8), e0220150. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220150

Kong, F., Meng, S., Deng, H., Wang, M., & Sun, X. (2023). Cognitive control in adolescents and young adults with media multitasking experience: A three-level meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 35(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09746-0

Luo, J., Yeung, P. S., & Li, H. (2022). Impact of media multitasking on executive function in adolescents: Behavioral and self-reported evidence from a one-year longitudinal study. Internet Research, 32(4), 1298-1317. https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-01-2021-0078

Mark, G. (2022). Multitasking in the digital age. Springer Nature.

Marriner, S., Cantelon, J., Elmore, W. R., Elkin-Frankston, S., & Ward, N. (2025). Investigating the relationship between media multitasking and executive function within a military population. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 10(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-025-00634-5

Matthews, N., Mattingley, J. B., & Dux, P. E. (2022). Media-multitasking and cognitive control across the lifespan. Scientific Reports, 12, 4349. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-07777-1

May, K. E., & Elder, A. D. (2018). Efficient, helpful, or distracting? A literature review of media multitasking in relation to academic performance. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 15(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-018-0096-z

Meng, Z., Ao, B., Wang, W., Niu, T., Chen, Y., Ma, X., & Huang, Y. (2024). Relationships between screen time and childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a Mendelian randomization study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1441191. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1441191/full

Murphy, K., Shin, M., & Stainer, M. (2025). Media multitasking scores and media use hours: A comparison across the standard Stroop task and an emotional Stroop task. Media Psychology, 28(2), 189-215. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2024.2338115

Ostrosky-Solís, F., Ardila, A., & Rosselli, M. (1999). NEUROPSI: A brief neuropsychological test battery in Spanish with norms by age and educational level. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 5(5), 413-433. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1355617799555045

Ostrosky-Solís, F., Gómez-Pérez, M. E., Matute, E., Rosselli, M., Ardila, A., & Pineda, D. (2007). NEUROPSI ATTENTION AND MEMORY: A neuropsychological test battery in Spanish with norms by age and educational level. Applied Neuropsychology, 14(3), 156-170. https://doi.org/10.1080/09084280701508655

Ralph, B. C., Smilek, D., & Seli, P. (2020). The role of control processes in media multitasking: It is more than switching. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 27(6), 1374-1382. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-020-01817-7

Rogobete, D. A., Ionescu, T., & Miclea, M. (2021). The relationship between media multitasking behavior and executive function in adolescence: A replication study. Journal of Early Adolescence, 40(8), 1139-1164. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431620950478

Sanbonmatsu, D. M., Strayer, D. L., Medeiros-Ward, N., & Watson, J. M. (2013). Who multi-tasks and why? Multi-tasking ability, perceived multi-tasking ability, impulsivity, and sensation seeking. PLOS ONE, 8(1), e54402. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0054402

Small, G. W., Lee, J., Kaufman, A., Jalil, J., Siddarth, P., Gaddipati, H., Moody, T. D., & Bookheimer, S. Y. (2020). Brain health consequences of digital technology use. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 22(2), 179-187. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.2/gsmall

Stavrinos, D., McManus, B., Underhill, A. T., & Lechtreck, M. T. (2019). Impact of adolescent media multitasking on cognition and driving safety. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 1(2), 161-168. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.143

Szameitat, A. J., & Brunel Students. (2022). Inter-individual differences in executive functions predict multitasking performance – Implications for the central attentional bottleneck. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 778966. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.778966

Tamana, S. K., Ezeugwu, V., Chikuma, J., Lefebvre, D. L., Azad, M. B., Moraes, T. J., Subbarao, P., Becker, A. B., Turvey, S. E., Sears, M. R., Dick, B. D., Carson, V., Rasmussen, C., CHILD Study Investigators, & Mandhane, P. J. (2019). Screen-time is associated with inattention problems in preschoolers: Results from the CHILD birth cohort study. PLOS ONE, 14(4), e0213995. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213995

Tervo-Clemmens, B., Calabro, F. J., Parr, A. C., Fedor, J., Foran, W., & Luna, B. (2023). A canonical trajectory of executive function maturation from adolescence to adulthood. Nature Communications, 14, 6922. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42540-8

Uncapher, M. R., & Wagner, A. D. (2018). Minds and brains of media multitaskers: Current findings and future directions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(40), 9889-9896. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1611612115

Wang, Z., & Tchernev, J. M. (2022). The "myth" of media multitasking: Reciprocal dynamics of media multitasking, personal needs, and gratifications. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 27(4), zmac010. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmac010

Wiradhany, W., & Koerts, J. (2021). Everyday functioning-related cognitive correlates of media multitasking: A mini meta-analysis. Media Psychology, 24(2), 276-303. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2019.1685393

Zhang, J., Song, H., Xu, C., Liu, S., & Zhang, Z. (2024). Media multitasking enhances individuals' anticipatory brain functions. Neuroscience, 566, 161-172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.12.051

Zurcher, J. D., King, J., Callister, M., Stockdale, L., & Coyne, S. M. (2020). “I can multitask”: The mediating role of media consumption on executive function's relationship to technoference attitudes. Computers in Human Behavior, 113, 106498. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563220302508