Proximal and distal factors influencing performance in mental and written calculations: A study with the network analysis

In the present study, we aimed to provide a first estimate of the general relationships among math skills through network analysis. Using clinically validated instruments, we examined the performance of a group of 166 typically developing Italian children attending 4th and 5th grade in several math abilities (mental and written calculation, arithmetic facts retrieval, magnitude processing, number transcoding, knowledge of computation procedures, and computation strategies), and domain-general factors (working memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, and visuospatial reasoning). A first network, based on math tasks, indicated that mental calculation is more associated with automatization in retrieving arithmetic facts, while written calculation is more associated with magnitude processing. Both mental and written calculation are strongly related to computation strategies, a central node in the network. A second network indicated that domain-general factors appear peripheral in the network (except for visuospatial reasoning), without direct associations with calculation abilities.