Interpersonal trauma exposure is associated with cognitive disengagement syndrome symptoms in early adolescents

Despite growing interest in the nature and impact of cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS), few studies have examined environmental factors associated with CDS such as the possible role of trauma exposure. The current study used a community sample of young adolescents and a multi-informant, multi-method design to examine the association between type of trauma exposure and symptoms of CDS and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Youth ages 10-12 (N = 341, 52.7% female, 62.2% White) and their caregivers completed diagnostic interviews and rating scales of CDS, ADHD, and internalizing symptoms. Past exposure to potentially traumatic events was evaluated during the diagnostic interviews and classified as either interpersonal or non-interpersonal trauma.

Correlation analyses indicated interpersonal trauma exposure was associated with higher CDS symptoms and youth-reported attention problems. Kruskal-Wallis tests indicated significant group differences for youth-reported symptoms of CDS and attention problems where symptoms were higher for those who had experienced interpersonal trauma than those with no trauma exposure or non-interpersonal trauma exposure. Regression analyses indicated adolescent-reported exposure to interpersonal trauma was uniquely associated with higher CDS symptoms.

Results suggest that adolescent self-reported interpersonal trauma exposure is positively associated with higher CDS symptoms whereas non-interpersonal trauma exposure was not associated with CDS or ADHD symptom dimensions. Longitudinal studies are needed to test prospective risk and developmental processes. Clinically, individuals with symptoms of CDS should be screened for prior trauma exposure and trauma-focused therapies may need to be personalized to mitigate possible CDS-related difficulties with treatment engagement.