J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry.  2024 Jul;35(3):155-162. 10.5765/jkacap.240001.

Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Cognitive Function and Its Relationship With Emotion Regulation in Young Adults

• Kim MS
• Kim K
• Nam J
• Lee SJ
• Lee SW

• KMID: 2557740
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.240001

Abstract

Objectives
Childhood maltreatment can negatively impact cognitive development, including executive function, working memory, and processing speed. This study investigated the impact of childhood maltreatment on cognitive function in young adults using various measurements, including computerized tests, and their relationship with emotional dysregulation.
Methods
We recruited 149 healthy individuals with and without maltreatment experiences and used the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IV (WAIS-IV) and a computerized battery to analyze cognitive function.
Results
Both the WAIS-IV and computerized tests revealed that individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment had decreased cognitive function, especially in terms of working memory and processing speed. These individuals tended to employ maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. Among cognitive functions, working memory is negatively related to maladaptive emotion regulation strategies such as catastrophizing.
Conclusion
This study highlights the effects of childhood maltreatment on cognitive function in young adulthood. Moreover, the study suggests clinical implications of cognitive interventions for improving emotion regulation and cognitive function in individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment.

Keyword

Childhood maltreatment; Working memory; Processing speed; Rumination; Catastrophizing