Adverse childhood events and cognitive function among young adults: Prospective results from the national longitudinal study of adolescent to adult health. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawkins, Misty A.W.; Layman, Harley M.; Ganson, Kyle T.; Tabler, Jennifer; Ciciolla, Lucia; Tsotsoros, Cindy E.; Nagata, Jason M.
• Is Part Of: Child abuse & neglect. Volume 115(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Adverse childhood experiences -- Early life adversity -- Cognitive function -- Memory -- Executive function; Child abuse -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-2134

Abstract

Highlights: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to poorer cognition in early adulthood. Both deprivation- and threat-type and higher cumulative ACEs predicted cognition. Screening and tailored treatments addressing ACEs and cognition may be warranted. Abstract: Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may have lasting impacts on cognition. Objective: To determine if ACE exposure is prospectively associated with cognition in young adults. We hypothesized that deprivation- and threat-type ACEs as well as higher cumulative ACE exposure predict poorer cognition. Participants & setting: Participants were from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a prospective cohort investigation of U.S. adolescents followed to adulthood. Current study participants were 18−24 years old (Wave III), 24−32 years old (Wave IV), and 31–42 years old (Wave V). The maximum Wave IV sample was 12, 288 adults; Wave V was 1277 adults. Methods: History of ACEs were assessed at Wave III. Three cognitive indicators were assessed at Wave IV and Wave V using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (immediate and delayed verbal memory) and the Digit-Span Backward Task (working memory). Results: The deprivation ACE of not-having-basic-needs met was associated with poorer working ( β = 0.14, CI95 -0.26, −0.01), immediate ( β =−0.29, CI95 −0.43, −0.15), and delayed memory ( β= -0.27, CI95 −0.43, −0.12) at Wave IV; poorer immediate ( β= −0.47, CI95 –0.79, −0.16) and delayed memory ( β= −0.33, CI95 -0.65, −0.01) at Wave V. The threat ACE of sexual abuse was associated with poorer immediate ( β= −0.40, CI95 −0.62, −0.17) and delayed memory ( β= −0.29, CI95 −0.55, −0.03) at Wave IV. Higher cumulative ACEs predicted poorer delayed memory ( β =−0.05, CI95 −0.10, −0.01) at Wave V. Conclusions: Higher ACEs, especially deprivation-type, were prospectively linked to poorer cognition. Early wide-scale screening/tailored treatments addressing ACEs and cognitive function may be warranted.