Abstract:
This research aims 1) to investigate levels and factors associated with executive functions and working memory among teachers in Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and 2) to develop and examine the effectiveness of cognitive training on executive functions (EFs) and working memory among teachers in EEC.
The research study investigates factors and their levels that exert effects on EFs and working memory among EEC teachers. A total of 448 teachers in the EEC were recruited using multistage sampling by randomly choosing from extra-large kindergarten schools, elementary schools, and high schools, resulting in one school per province: Anubanchonburi School, Maptaputphanpittayakarn School, and Wat Donthong School (Suwannasri Tanthikunrat Suksa Lai). Research instruments consisted of 1) Teacher Primarily Data Questionnaire, 2) Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being-Thai version, 3) Suan Prung Stress Test-20 (SPST-20), 4) Maslach Burnout Inventory for Educators (MBI-ES), 5) Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version: Thai version (BRIEF-A: Thai version), and 6) Letter Number Sequencing test (LNS). Statistical analyses were performed using Analysis of the Variance (ANOVA) and the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
For the development and examination of cognitive training program on EFs and working memory, the experiment was performed using Phase 1 recruited teachers from specific schools in Chonburi Province with voluntary participation (N=60), and they were assigned into groups using matched pairs design for 30 pairs. They were randomly selected into either Group 1 or Group 2, then the groups were assigned for experimental group (n=30) and control group (n=30) using simple random sampling. Experimental research instruments include 1) BRIEF-A: Thai version, 2) LNS test, and 3) cognitive training programs for enhancing EFs and working memory (EFWM-TE), which was designed by the researcher based on integrated acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), neuro-lingistic programming (NLP), focused attention meditation (FAM), and cognitive training. The experimental group received the EFWM-TE 8 sessions (90-minute session) by training in a marathon for 2 days. Meanwhile, the control group received short 12-minute documentary video on how to strengthen the executive functions of the brain and
working memory, which was developed by the researcher. The samples were assessed on EFs of the brain and working memory both before and after the experiments. The collected data were analyzed by means and t-score.
The research results were found that;
1. The results indicated that gender, marital status, sleep hours, alcohol/tobacco use behavior, and history of mindfulness training, exerted statistically significant impact on the impairment of EFs among EEC teachers (p < .05). Age and sleep hours showed significant impact on working memory span among these teachers. The factors that markedly affected working memory span among EEC teachers were age and hours of sleep.
2. The correlation coefficients between the observed variables and latent variables were significantly positive in both between and within variables (stress = 0.532 - 0.728, working memory = 0.900, well-being = 0.135- 0.584, executive functions = 0.684). Meanwhile, there were and both positive and negative relationships in burnout (-0.200 0.579) (p < .05).
3. The causal relationship between EFs, stress, burnout, well-being, and working memory among EEC teachers fitted with the empirical data (2 = 197.824, p = 0.000, Relative 2 =2.198, df =90, GFI = 0.948, AGFI = 0.921, CFI= 0.981, RMSEA = 0.051, RMR = 0.056, SRMR = 0.057, CN= 282.564)
4. EFs could be used to predict stress with approximately 21.9%. EFs and stress could predict burnout about 44.8%. EFs with stress and burnout, could predict working memory about 11.9%; meanwhile, they could predict well-being approximately 48.7%. EFs showed the direct effect on stress, burnout, working memory, and well-being at the statistical level (p < 0.001) with the direct effects of 0.468, 0.229, -0.382, and
0.302, respectively. Furthermore, EFs showed the indirect effect on burnout, working memory, and well-being at the statistical level (p < 0.001) with the indirect effects of 0.248, -0.239, and 0.124, respectively.
5. EEC teachers received EFWM-TE cognitive training showed better performance on EFs and working memory tasks when compared to performance tasks before training and also compared to control group (p < 0.05).