Investigating the Relationship Between Executive Function and Participation in Leisure Activities in Adolescents Aged 12 - 17 with Specific Learning Disorder

Abstract

Background: Specific learning disorder (SLD) affects 5 - 15% of children globally, disrupting their academic, social, and emotional development. Understanding how executive function (EF) influences leisure activities is essential for supporting adolescents with SLD in improving their overall quality of life. Leisure activities were categorized as structured (e.g., organized sports, classes), unstructured (e.g., casual play, TV watching), independent (done alone), and cooperative (done with others) activities. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between EF and participation in leisure activities among adolescents aged 12 to 17 with SLD. We hypothesized that lower EF scores would be associated with reduced leisure participation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 - 2021) in Tehran, Iran. Convenience sampling from five specialized SLD centers yielded 85 adolescents (12 - 17 years old) with a confirmed SLD diagnosis, who were able to read/write, and without comorbid conditions preventing participation. They completed a demographic questionnaire and two assessments: The Behavior Rating Inventory of EF-Self-Report Version (BRIEF-SR) and the children’s assessment of participation and enjoyment (CAPE). Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and multiple regression analyses were used in SPSS 22. Results: A total of 85 adolescents (mean age 14.01 ± 1.20 years; 47.1% female) completed the study. No significant correlation was found between EF and overall participation in leisure activities (R = -0.024, P > 0.05). These findings align with previous research (Sharifi & Rosenblum, 2014), which suggests that EF deficits may not necessarily hinder participation in unstructured or socially supported leisure activities. The EF did not predict specific subscales of leisure participation, including physical (R = -0.085, P = 0.439), social (R = 0.096, P = 0.383), and skill-based activities (R = -0.064, P = 0.561). Results may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which limited physical and social leisure activities. Conclusions: The study found no significant link between EF and leisure participation in adolescents with SLD. It was hypothesized that social and environmental factors might have played a more influential role, warranting further research. Limitations include reliance on self-report questionnaires and the cross-sectional design, suggesting that future longitudinal or mixed-methods studies are needed.