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Child maltreatment and executive functioning in middle adulthood: a prospective examination
Valentina Nikulina1, Cathy Spatz Widom1
1Psychology Department, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.
Neuropsychology
|July 24, 2013
Summary
Childhood neglect, a form of maltreatment, significantly impacts adult executive functioning and nonverbal reasoning. This long-term effect highlights the need for targeted interventions for neglected children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Child Development
Background:
- Childhood maltreatment has known negative effects on IQ, academic achievement, and PTSD.
- Fewer prospective studies have examined the long-term impact of abuse and neglect on executive functioning.
- Neurobiological consequences of childhood maltreatment are gaining attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if childhood abuse and neglect predict executive functioning and nonverbal reasoning in middle adulthood.
- To determine if posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) moderates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult cognitive functions.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study followed 792 individuals from childhood (ages 0-11) into middle adulthood (mean age 41).
- Included court-substantiated cases of physical/sexual abuse and neglect, alongside matched controls.
- Executive functioning (Trail Making Test-Part B) and nonverbal reasoning (Matrix Reasoning test) were assessed; PTSD was diagnosed at age 29.
Main Results:
- Childhood maltreatment overall and neglect predicted poorer executive functioning and nonverbal reasoning in adulthood.
- Physical and sexual abuse, however, did not show a significant direct prediction.
- Past PTSD diagnosis did not mediate or moderate the observed relationships.
Conclusions:
- Childhood maltreatment, particularly neglect, has a lasting negative impact on adult neuropsychological functions.
- These findings underscore the importance of early intervention programs for neglected children.
- Long-term cognitive deficits associated with neglect warrant further investigation and support.
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