Abstract

ERAZO SANTANDER, Oscar A.. Programs for the improvement of executive functions in children from vulnerable contexts. Rev. Crim. [online]. 2022, vol.64, n.2, pp.161-181.  Epub Feb 08, 2023. ISSN 1794-3108.  https://doi.org/10.47741/17943108.361.

Executive functions are neuropsychological abilities that influence cognitive, affective and behavioral capacity. Their productivity depends on the maturity of the central nervous system and the quality of stimulation. In childhood, the maturation process is vulnerable to adverse environmental conditions, such as poverty, neglect, traumatic experiences and poor education, generating delays, with consequences in the executive system. It is necessary to identify programs that seek to improve these neuropsychological skills in childhood and that are developed in conditions of vulnerability, defining their possible effect and impact. A literature review was conducted with scientific products from the years 2015 - 2020 in electronic search engines Scopus, Pubmed, Scielo and Dialnet.

Open access works with experimental or quasi-experimental methodology, pretest and posttest measurement and normal and vulnerable development samples were considered. The results identified 47 programs nominated in 11 groups: physical activity, combined, academic, computerized, family and parenting, games, mindfulness, music, arts, therapies and nutritional-psychoeducational. Most indicate positive results with moderate and high effect and with transfers in cognitive, affective, behavioral and social dimensions. It is recommended to continue the analysis of executive function improvement programs in Latin America, since we share adverse environmental variables and according to the analysis only five products were carried out in Latin America and one in Colombia.

Keywords : Poverty crime relationship; neuropsychology; Executive functions; Latinoamerica.

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