Mental Health News
A team of researchers at the University of Turku explored the link between adverse childhood experiences and poor cognitive performance in mid-life. The study is published in the journal Neuropsychology.
The Study
The researchers used prospective data collected for the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Nearly 1191 participants, aged 34–49 years, completed questionnaires on psychosocial factors in childhood and cognitive function. Factors like parental conduct, socioeconomic status, emotional environment, stressors, etc. were assessed.
The Findings
The results revealed that adverse childhood experiences lead to the development of poor midlife cognitive abilities and well-being. These include worse midlife learning and memory, inadequate child’s self-regulation in adulthood, and poor social adjustment.
The authors added: “The results of our study can be leveraged to develop targeted interventions directed towards those families with cumulative adverse psychosocial factors. Interventions towards promoting a better psychosocial environment in childhood might have carry-over associations on cognitive function and thus be reflected also in future generations via parenting attitudes.”
To Know More You May Refer To
Nurmi, A., Pulkki-Råback, L., Salo, P., Pahkala, K., Juonala, M., Hutri-Kähönen, N., Kähönen, M., Lehtimäki, T., Jokinen, E., Keltikangas-Järvinen, L., Laitinen, T. P., Tossavainen, P., Taittonen, L., Viikari, J. S. A., Raitakari, O. T., & Rovio, S. P. (2023). The associations of childhood psychosocial factors with cognitive function in midlife-The young finns study. Neuropsychology, 37(1), 64–76. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000877
