Date of Award
2015
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Specialization
School Psychology
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Susan Rattan
Abstract
Previous research has shown that child maltreatment can negatively impact brain development and neurocognitive systems for children, adolescents, and adults. However there are no published studies that have sought to understand the role of child maltreatment with psychiatrically hospitalized children. Psychiatrically hospitalized children are considered a high-risk population due to increased suicidality, internalizing disorders, and lower cognitive functioning. The current study examined a hierarchical and cumulative model of maltreatment with inpatient children (ages 6-14 years old) who had been maltreated (n=111) to understand its impact on executive functioning skills, compared with a psychiatric outpatient sample (n=166). Results using a hierarchical and cumulative model of maltreatment revealed that significant differences existed between the outpatient sample and children who had been maltreated on combined measures of general executive functioning, even after controlling for FSIQ. Group differences between the outpatient and inpatient samples were found for those who had been sexually and physically abused, but not neglected on general executive functioning skills using a hierarchical model of maltreatment. The cumulative model revealed significant differences between the control group and those who had been exposed to three and four types of maltreatment. Distinct neuropsychological profiles were related to the type of maltreatment and the number of maltreatment types the child had been exposed. Children who had been maltreated with PTSD significantly differed in their general executive functioning skills compared to the control group, however this difference no longer existed after controlling for FSIQ. Group differences were not found for those who had been maltreated with or without PTSD. These findings extend previous research conducted with maltreated adolescents in an inpatient psychiatric setting, suggesting the type of maltreatment and number of maltreatment exposures, significantly impact different skills associated with executive functioning.
Recommended Citation
Frechette, Jennifer Ann Dupont, "CHILDHOOD MALTREATMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON EXECUTIVE SKILLS WITHIN AN INPATIENT SETTING" (2015). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 303.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/303
Terms of Use
All rights reserved under copyright.