Teens train your brain! A mixed-methods feasibility trial of a working memory training program for adolescents from an economically disadvantaged community
Recommended Citation
Felton JW, Cinader M, Spencer J, Hampton T, Mulheron M, Key K, Johnson JE, and Yi R. Teens train your brain! A mixed-methods feasibility trial of a working memory training program for adolescents from an economically disadvantaged community. Appl Neuropsychol Child 2025; 1-11.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-11-2025
Publication Title
Appl Neuropsychol Child
Abstract
Exposure to early socioeconomic disadvantage impacts the development of working memory, a component of executive functions underlying engagement in risky behaviors including substance misuse. Given that working memory develops across adolescence, coinciding with increases in the onset and rapid escalation of substance use and other risky behaviors, interventions designed to improve working memory may have promise for supporting behavioral health for youth from low-resource areas. However most working memory programs have been developed for adults from higher-resource contexts and may not be feasible for youth from socioeconomically distressed communities. The current study (n = 23) uses a mixed methods approach to evaluate the implementation potential and preliminary effectiveness of a computer-based working memory training program among youth ages 12 to 16 from a very low-resource community. Participants (48% female; 100% Black) were administered tests of working memory before and after completing a working memory program or a control computer program. Results suggest youth in the active condition found the intervention to be acceptable, appropriate and enjoyable and evidenced statistically significant increases in working memory. No improvement was seen among youth in the comparison condition. Findings suggest preliminary support for implementation of this program in an impoverished urban setting.
PubMed ID
40215208
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
First Page
1
Last Page
11