The Investigation of the Role of Executive Functions (Working Memory and Inhibition) in Predicting the Event-based and Time-based Prospective Memory of the Adolescents

Introduction: Prospective memory is an important precursor for independent living adolescents and can dependent on other executive functions. Purpose: To this end, this study aims to investigate the role of executive functions (working memory and inhibition) in predicting the event- based and time-based prospective memory of the adolescents. Methods: This study was conducted in the form of a correlation pattern. The study population consists of high school students in Azarshahr city in the academic year 1393-94. In this study, 150 students (male=67 and female=83) with a mean age of 16.5 year were selected by multistage cluster sampling. Prospective memory testing, working memory and continuous performance testing was used in order to collect data. Then, data were analyzed by Pearson correlations and multi-variable regression. Results: The results showed that the executive functions (working memory and inhibition) with a correlation coefficient of about 0/52 could define 0/27 percentage changes of event- based prospective memory and with a correlation coefficient 0/37 could only define 0/13 percentage changes related to time-based prospective memory. Meanwhile, only working memory and standard deviation of reaction time of visual continuous performance testing could predict event- based prospective memory positively. Furthermore, only working memory could predict time-based prospective memory. Conclusion: As a result, we can say that working memory operates as an underlying mechanism in the improvement of prospective memory.