Bilingüismo y funciones ejecutivas: Influencia de la frecuencia de uso de una segunda lengua en la memoria de trabajo en el envejecimiento

Background and Objective: In a society facing the challenge of an aging population, identifying factors that support cognitive functioning and cognitive reserve in older adults is crucial for promoting successful aging and enhancing quality of life. Bilingualism has been proposed as one such protective factor. This study aimed to examine the impact of second language (L2) usage frequency on executive functions, specifically working memory, in older adults. Materials and methods: The sample consists of 45 individuals over the age of 65, residing in Catalonia, whose first language is Spanish and whose second language (L2) is Catalan, acquired after the age of 6. A non-probabilistic sampling method was employed. The frequency of L2 use was assessed using the Language History Questionnaire (LHQ3), and attention and working memory were evaluated using the Digit Span subtest (forward and backward) from the WAIS-III scale. Results: A correlational analysis indicated a moderate association between second language use frequency and performance on the Backward Digit Span task (WAIS III). Conclusion: The frequency of second language use is associated with enhanced executive functioning, specifically working memory, in the context of aging.