Neuropsychological Profile of Children, Adolescents and Adults Experiencing Maltreatment: A Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have attempted to describe the range of cognitive impairments affecting people who have experienced child maltreatment. The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the neuropsychological profile of these people and to determine the cognitive impacts of maltreatment from childhood to adulthood.

METHOD: Fifty-two publications from 1970 to 2013 were included.

RESULTS

The affected cognitive domains were working memory (g = -.65), attention (g = -.63), intelligence (g = -.56) and speed of processing (g = -.49). The impact of maltreatment was greater in young children (g = -.71) and less pronounced in adults (g = -.26).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that exposure to maltreatment has an impact on specific cognitive processes, regardless of age.