Abstract
Executive functions (EFs) are a set of high-level cognitive and behavioral monitoring skills that are important to employees’ work performance. The 25-item Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised (ESQ-R) measures executive dysfunction in five dimensions (e.g., emotional regulation). Nevertheless, the usability of this newly developed scale for employees remains unclear. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the adopted ESQ-R for working adults in Malaysia. A total of 325 employees responded to an online survey consisted of the ESQ-R, Executive Function Index (EFI), self-rated creativity scale (SRCS), and 9-item Utretch Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) and Employee Well-being Scale. Several CFAs were conducted to compare three competing models. While all models showed a good fit, the 5-factor second-order model that is in line with the theoretical structure is preferable. The ESQ-R showed excellent internal consistency. Moreover, the ESQ-R score was negatively correlated with EFI, creativity, and UWES-9 scores, supporting the convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity. The ESQ-R score also explained incremental variance in well-being above and beyond scores of the UWES-9 and SRCS. Taken together, the ESQ-R is a useful tool for assessing employees’ executive dysfunction and suggesting intervention programs helping employees with deficits in EFs.
Highlights
Executive functions (EFs) refer to intellectual behaviors such as planning, self-monitoring, problem-solving, reasoning, and working memory that stem from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the brain [1,2]
This research investigated the psychometric qualities of the Executive Skills QuestionnaireRevised (ESQ-R) among working adults in Malaysia
The ESQ-R is best represented by a second-order model with five specifics factors and a general factor of EFs and demonstrates good internal consistency and validity
Summary
Executive functions (EFs) refer to intellectual behaviors such as planning, self-monitoring, problem-solving, reasoning, and working memory that stem from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the brain [1,2]. EFs are a control mechanism that work in regulating human cognition and behaviors [2] and are necessary when an individual wants to exercise higher cognitive skills. EFs are a core component of self-control or self-regulation [2], which is important to working performance [8]. EFs play a critical role in the development of other essential competencies including economic decision making, risk-taking behaviors, the judgment of another’s intention, and level of social trust [9–11] as well as self-management of time and self-regulation of emotions [12]. It is reasonable to believe that EFs are conducive to employees’ performance [9]. EFs have been found beneficial to working performance and work engagement [13–17]
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