{"id":4174,"date":"2024-10-17T15:44:37","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T04:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/childhood-maltreatment-linked-to-greater-cognitive-difficulties-than-previously-thought\/"},"modified":"2024-10-17T15:44:37","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T04:44:37","slug":"childhood-maltreatment-linked-to-greater-cognitive-difficulties-than-previously-thought","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dalgarnoinstitute.org.au\/wp_site\/childhood-maltreatment-linked-to-greater-cognitive-difficulties-than-previously-thought\/","title":{"rendered":"Childhood maltreatment linked to greater cognitive difficulties than previously thought"},"content":{"rendered":"

(What role does substance use in the home play in producing, intensifying or facilitating these harms? What ripple effect does it have intergenerationally on both development and potential future substance use by these innocent victims of substance using adults? Dalgarno Institute)<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\"kidsicream\"A study of adults from the US Midwest who experienced childhood maltreatment found that those with objective records of maltreatment tended to show pervasive cognitive deficits compared to individuals without such records. These cognitive deficits were not observed in individuals who self-reported childhood maltreatment but lacked objective documentation. The research was published in The Lancet Psychiatry<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Childhood maltreatment refers to abuse or neglect experienced by a child, typically at the hands of a caregiver, parent, or other authority figure. It can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.<\/p>\n

Physical abuse involves causing bodily harm or injury to the child, while emotional abuse includes behaviors such as constant criticism, humiliation, or manipulation that harm the child\u2019s psychological well-being. Sexual abuse refers to any sexual activity with a child, often involving exploitation or coercion. Neglect, on the other hand, occurs when a child\u2019s basic needs\u2014such as food, shelter, healthcare, and emotional support\u2014are not adequately met.<\/p>\n

Childhood maltreatment can have long-term consequences, affecting a child\u2019s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Survivors of childhood maltreatment are at higher risk of developing mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and difficulties forming healthy relationships<\/p>\n

The findings suggest that using only retrospective self-reports may obscure the significant cognitive impairments that are more prevalent in those with documented histories of childhood neglect, potentially leading to an underestimation of the long-term cognitive and functional challenges these individuals face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile there are some important exceptions, most research in this area has relied on retrospective reports of childhood maltreatment from adult participants,\u201d Danese said in a news release. \u201cOur study has shown that this reliance on retrospective reports has likely resulted in researchers and clinicians underestimating the extent to which individuals with documented cases of maltreatment, and particularly neglect, are experiencing cognitive deficits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur study highlights the importance of identifying young people who have experienced neglect so that the proper support can be put in place, for example, to mitigate the negative consequences in education and employment.\u201d (For more go to PsyPost<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Also see<\/strong><\/p>\n