NEUROBEHAVIORAL SEQUELAE OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Abstract

This study examined intellectual and memory functioning in a sample of sexually abused children compared to demographically and age-matched controls. The severity of abuse and other pertinent factors were also examined in relation to cognitive performance. Elevated levels of psychopathology were present in the abused children, as well as diminished performance on tasks influenced by attention/concentration. However, after controlling for differences in IQ and socioeconomic status (SES), significant differences in memory function were not found. Results are discussed in the context of stress effects on cognition and the potential resiliency of cognitive function in children undergoing treatment for sexual abuse.

This is based, in part, on the doctoral dissertation of the first author. We are grateful to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and Primary Children's Medical Center and therapists and public schools in Salt Lake and Utah counties for their assistance in recruiting participants for this study. We are also grateful for the editorial assistance of Jo Ann Petrie. Partial funding for this project came from the Ira Fulton Foundation.

Keywords::

• sexual abuse
• memory
• learning
• cognition
• IQ
• neurobehavioral

Notes

This is based, in part, on the doctoral dissertation of the first author. We are grateful to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and Primary Children's Medical Center and therapists and public schools in Salt Lake and Utah counties for their assistance in recruiting participants for this study. We are also grateful for the editorial assistance of Jo Ann Petrie. Partial funding for this project came from the Ira Fulton Foundation.