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Executive, Emotional, and Language Functioning Following Childhood Maltreatment and the Influence of Pediatric PTSD

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Abstract

There is limited research examining the neuropsychological functioning of pediatric PTSD as a result of maltreatment, especially within the adolescent population. The present study used retrospective chart review of adolescent inpatients and examined the executive functioning, language, and psychological presentation of maltreated adolescent psychiatric inpatients with pediatric PTSD. Adolescent inpatients were grouped into maltreated adolescents with PTSD as a result of maltreatment (n = 17), maltreated adolescents without PTSD (n = 18), and nonmaltreated adolescents without PTSD (n = 18). Group differences were identified across assessed domains. Lower overall executive functioning was identified in maltreated adolescents regardless of PTSD diagnosis. When compared to those maltreated adolescents without PTSD, the PTSD group displayed lower expressive language and problem solving/planning skills, as well increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. These findings suggest that pediatric PTSD because of maltreatment is associated with psychological and neurocognitive impairments, highlighting the importance of neuropsychological assessment in the treatment of childhood maltreatment.

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Acknowledgments

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

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Psychology, Antioch University New England, Keene, NH, 03431, USA

    Brian Kavanaugh

  2. Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Karen Holler

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  1. Brian Kavanaugh
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Correspondence to Brian Kavanaugh.

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Kavanaugh, B., Holler, K. Executive, Emotional, and Language Functioning Following Childhood Maltreatment and the Influence of Pediatric PTSD. Journ Child Adol Trauma 7, 121–130 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-014-0014-z

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