Common transdiagnostic cognitive deficits among people with psychiatric disorders exposed to childhood maltreatment: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION

Previous meta-analyses have shown a moderate negative impact of maltreatment on the neuropsychological functioning of people with or without psychiatric disorders compared to healthy groups. The objectives of the present meta-analysis were to (1) investigate the impact of maltreatment on neuropsychological functioning of people with psychiatric disorders and to (2) evaluate the moderating effect of age, at the time of the cognitive assessment, on neuropsychological functioning.

METHODS

Seventeen studies published between 1970 and July 2017 were included.

RESULTS

The results showed a negative impact of maltreatment with a small effect size (g = -0.25) on the neuropsychological performances in the group with psychiatric disorders with a history of exposure to childhood maltreatment compared to the group with psychiatric disorders without a history of exposure to childhood maltreatment. Cognitive domains that are significantly affected by maltreatment are: working memory (g = -0.56), verbal episodic memory (g = -0.39), intelligence (g = -0.27) and processing speed (g = -0.21). The impact of childhood maltreatment on the cognitive profile is greater in adults than young people.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should consider these common cognitive deficits using a transdiagnostic approach in cognitive interventions.