Characterization of executive functions in children affected by an armed conflict

In Colombia, there are investigations that account for the influence of violence on the executive functioning of children. The department of Cauca, one of the regions most affected by armed conflict and with the highest rates of child violence, lacks research studies in the field of neuropsychology. This study aimed to characterize the executive functions of boys and girls between 7 and 11 years of age, victims of armed conflict in the department of Cauca, Colombia, compared to a control group. The research is framed within a quantitative approach of comparative descriptive scope, under a non-experimental cross-sectional design. Forty-eight subjects participated, divided into two groups of equal size and proportional by gender. In the case group, the average age was 8.6 years (SD +/- 1.3), and in the control group, it was 8.9 years (SD +/- 1.5), with 50% boys. The Executive Functions subtest of the Child Neuropsychological Assessment Instrument and a sociodemographic form were used for the assessment. Within the research, the influence of armed conflict on executive functions was determined, with a greater impact on verbal fluency and some tasks of cognitive flexibility, planning, and organization, showing better performance in the control group. Furthermore, concerning gender influence, it was found that boys are more affected than girls.