NCJ Number
227747
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 33 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2009 Pages: 353-361
Date Published
June 2009
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study examined executive function (EF) deficits as a function of trauma exposure in children.
Abstract
Findings revealed a medium effect size for the relationship between familial-trauma-exposure status and EF performance as assessed by a composite of working memory, inhibition, auditory attention, and processing speed measures. The direct effect of exposure to familial trauma was maintained even when the contribution of dissociation, anxiety symptoms (including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for trauma-exposed youth only), socioeconomic status, and potential traumatic brain injury (TBI) exposure were considered. Among these factors, only familial-trauma-exposure status and dissociation contributed unique variance to the prediction of EF performance. The relationship between familial-trauma exposure and basic executive functioning, that is the absence of emotional content, held even after taking into account internalizing symptoms, environmental stressors, and potential TBIs; therefore, children exposed to family violence show poorer EF performance relative to their peers, even in the absence of trauma-relevant cues. Data were collected from 114 school-aged children, recruited for a 2-session study on stress and attention through flyers in social service and mental health agencies, community centers, and local businesses in a large western city in the United States. Tables and references