Abstract
The prefrontal cortex is sensitive to stress experiences and significantly impacted by early life adversity. Cognitive flexibility is an executive function that is associated with positive outcomes in adulthood and implicated in activity in the prefrontal cortex. The relationship between early life adversity and cognitive flexibility is underreported. Using the cumulative risk model, we conducted two studies to examine the association between early life adversity and cognitive flexibility in college students and adults (cumulative N = 510). Exposure to early life adversity was assessed using the adverse childhood experiences scale (ACEs). Cognitive flexibility was assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Additionally, as perceived chronic stress is associated with impaired prefrontal cortex function, we measured that as well. Higher number of ACEs was correlated with lower number of completed categories on the WCST in both college students and adults. Perceived chronic stress was not associated with cognitive flexibility, but did correlate positively with ACEs. Individuals with a higher number of ACEs were also more likely to report higher levels of perceived chronic stress. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that exposure to adverse childhood experiences predicted lower scores on completed categories. Our findings provide further evidence that individuals with early life adversity exhibit reduced cognitive flexibility in adulthood.
Highlights
Unlike other primates, humans experience an extended developmental period, which is made possible by the care and protection provided by their parents [1]
Examination of the distribution of the data showed that the skewness and kurtosis of number of Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACEs), total correct score on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and number of perseverative errors on the WCST were greater than |2| for Study 1
We observed that 38.6% of the college students in Study 1 and 65.5% of the community sample in Study 2 reported experiencing ACEs
Summary
Humans experience an extended developmental period, which is made possible by the care and protection provided by their parents [1]. Kalia and Knauft [24] examined the association between ELA, measured using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACEs) [25], and cognitive flexibility, assessed using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (hereafter, CFI) [26], in a sample of adults (N = 486) They observed that exposure to ELA was significantly and negatively associated with CFI-Control. Based on prior research by Kalia and colleagues [24, 27], our primary hypothesis was that increased exposure to ELA, assessed using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACEs) [25], would be negatively associated with cognitive flexibility measured using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test [33]. Since cognitive flexibility skills develop slowly and appear to decline with aging [39], our final hypothesis was that age would be negatively correlated with performance on the WCST within the adult sample
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
