Child maltreatment, cognitive functions and the mediating role of mental health problems among maltreated children and adolescents in Uganda
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Date
2021
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Publisher
Springer Nature
Abstract
Background: Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not
only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated
with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at
examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda.
Methods: A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed
on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure—Pediatric Version
(pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block
Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center
for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC).
Results: In total, 232 (100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in
their lifetime including emotional, physical, and sexual violence as well as neglect. We found a negative association
between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = − 0.487, p < 0.001) and working memory (β = − 0.242,
p = 0.001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship.
Conclusions: Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of
affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment
the affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.
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Keywords
Child maltreatment, Cognitive functions, Mental health, East Africa