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Published on: May 19, 2015
Illogical thinking and thought disorder in maltreated children
Sheree L Toth1, Erin Pickreign Stronach, Fred A Rogosch
1Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, 187 Edinburgh Street, Rochester, NY 14608, USA. sheree.toth@rochester.edu
Summary
Child maltreatment significantly impacts cognitive development, leading to illogical thinking in affected children. This compromised ability affects idea formulation and logical communication in school-aged children.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Child maltreatment is a significant adverse childhood experience.
- Cognitive and communication skills are crucial for development.
- Previous research suggests attentional and bias differences in maltreated children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate illogical thinking patterns in children from low-income families.
- To compare illogical thinking between maltreated and non-maltreated children.
- To explore the relationship between maltreatment characteristics and illogical thinking.
Main Methods:
- School-aged children from low-income families participated.
- A story-telling game was used to elicit speech samples for analysis.
- Behavioral observations and ratings were conducted using the Child Behavior Checklist.
Main Results:
- Maltreated children demonstrated significantly higher levels of illogical thinking.
- Illogical thinking in maltreated children reached clinically pathological levels.
- Multiple maltreatment types and chronicity correlated with increased illogical thinking.
Conclusions:
- Child maltreatment impairs the capacity for logical thought formulation and expression.
- Findings support and extend existing research on cognitive biases in maltreated youth.
- Cognitive deficits in maltreated children require targeted interventions.
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