A Neuropsychological Profile of Childhood Maltreatment Within an Adolescent Inpatient Sample

Abstract

Recent research has begun to identify the neurocognitive and psychological effects of childhood maltreatment, although information is limited on the neuropsychological presentation of maltreatment in psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents. This study examined the executive-functioning and language abilities as well as psychopathological presentation of childhood maltreatment victims in an adolescent psychiatric inpatient setting. The sample consisted of adolescent inpatients (ages 13–19 years old) who completed a neuropsychological/psychological assessment during hospitalization (n = 122). The sample was grouped based on childhood maltreatment history, with one group categorized by maltreatment history (n = 49) and the other group characterized by no maltreatment history (n = 73). Analyses revealed statistically significant differences (p < .01) between maltreatment groups on executive functioning, as well as on measures of self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms. No group differences remained after controlling for posttraumatic stress disorder. Further, distinct neuropsychological profiles were identified for specific types of maltreatment experienced. These findings suggest that while childhood maltreatment is associated with a range of neuropsychological impairments, the specific type of maltreatment experienced may have a significant influence on the type and severity of impairments. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on the significant consequences of childhood maltreatment.

Key words:

• adolescence
• inpatient
• maltreatment
• neurocognitive
• psychopathology

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank George Tremblay at Antioch University New England for his statistical guidance and the entire neuropsychology team at Butler Hospital.

Notes

Beery VMI Total = Beery Visual-Motor Integration Test (Fourth Edition, representing an intellectual proxy); % With Comorbidity = percentage of participants who had more than one psychiatric diagnosis; Diagnoses = psychiatric diagnoses at hospital discharge; Anxiety = anxiety disorders; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; Behavioral = disruptive behavioral disorders; ADHD = attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

*p < .01. **p < .001.

EF Composite = executive-functioning composite score; CF/SS = cognitive flexibility/set shifting; WM/SA = working memory/simple attention; RI/IC = response inhibition/interference control; PS/P = problem solving/planning; Language = language composite score; Boston = Boston Naming Test (expressive language); PPVT-III = Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Third Edition (receptive language); CDI Total = Childhood Depression Inventory Total score; CDI Mood = CDI Negative Mood; CDI Inter. = CDI Interpersonal Problems; CDI Ineffective = CDI Ineffectiveness; CDI Anhed. = CDI Anhedonia; CDI S-E = CDI Self-Esteem; RCMAS Total = Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale Total score; RCMAS Phys. = RCMAS Physiological Anxiety; RCMAS Social = RCMAS Social Anxiety.

*p < .01. **p < .001.

EF = executive functioning; CF/SS = cognitive flexibility/set shifting; WM/SA = working memory/simple attention; RI/IC = response inhibition/interference control; PS/P = problem solving/planning; Language = language composite score; Boston = Boston Naming Test (expressive language); PPVT-III = Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Third Edition (receptive language); CDI = Childhood Depression Inventory; RCMAS = Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale.

*p < .01.