Association between, Dermatoglyphic Patterns and Executive Functions in Schoolchildren: Convergent Validation of the BRIEF-2 in the Ecuadorian Context

Abstract

The advent of generative artificial intelligence technologies, has Abstract

Early detection of neurocognitive variability in resource-limited educational settings requires culturally validated instruments, this study validated the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF-2) through convergent evidence with dermatoglyphics in 193 schoolchildren aged 8-9 years from Loja, Ecuador. After confirming the factorial structure of the BRIEF-2 (α = 0.89; CFI = 0.93) and classifying participants according to global executive function score (GEC), dermatoglyphic profiles revealed significant differences, the group with greater neurocognitive variability (GEC ≥ 75th percentile) showed higher arch frequency (15.2% vs. 5.1%, p < 0.001) and L>A formula (18.0% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.008) compared with the no-risk group.

Dermatoglyphic analysis reproducibility was excellent (κ = 0.91). These findings provide convergent validity evidence for the BRIEF-2 in identifying executive variability and suggest that increased arch presence may constitute an associated vulnerability marker in this population, they must be interpreted as convergent validity evidence and not as diagnostic proof, given the cross-sectional design and absence of reference neuropsychological assessment, justifying longitudinal studies to evaluate predictive capacity