The Effects of Trauma Type and Executive Dysfunction on Symptom Expression of Polyvictimized Youth in Residential Care
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Journal of traumatic stress
Abstract
Risk for traumatic sequelae is conveyed directly by risk factors (i.e., exposure to trauma), and via the disruption of developmental
competencies. Exposure to caregiver trauma is an especially salient risk factor, as its early and pervasive nature is likely to undermine
multiple facets of development, most notably the emergence of cognitive controls (i.e., executive function [EF]). Deficits in EF have been
observed among youth exposed to multiple types of trauma and are associated with a range of functional impairments, posttraumatic stress
symptoms (PTSS), and behavioral disorders; they represent a mechanism by which the negative impact of caregiver trauma is conveyed.
This study included 672 youth in residential placement, and examined the associations between both caregiver and noncaregiver trauma,
measured by the Trauma History Profile (THP); executive dysfunction, measured by the Behavioral Inventory of Executive Function
(BRIEF); PTSS, measured by the UCLA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Reaction Index (PTSD-RI); and externalizing and
internalizing problems, measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). A structural equation model demonstrated direct associations
between caregiver trauma and PTSS, β = .15; noncaregiver trauma and externalizing problems, β = .14; gender and PTSS, β = .26,
externalizing problems, β = .12, and internalizing problems, β = .26; and age and externalizing problems, β = −.11. We observed indirect
effects via deficits in EF between caregiver trauma and PTSS, β = .04 and externalizing problems, β = .19. Results indicate for screening
for executive dysfunction among trauma-impacted youth is needed, as it represents a critical therapeutic target.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
poly-victimization, child abuse, risk, research, intervention
Citation
Hodgdon, H. B., Liebman, R., Martin, L., Suvak, M., Beserra, K., Rosenblum, W., & Spinazzola, J. (2018). The effects of trauma type and executive dysfunction on symptom expression of polyvictimized youth in residential care. Journal of traumatic stress, 31(2), 255-264.