The effects of maltreatment and neuroendocrine regulation on memory performance.
This investigation examined basic memory processes, cortisol, and dissociation in maltreated children. School-aged children (age range=6-13), 143 maltreated and 174 non-maltreated, were administered the California Verbal Learning Test-Children (D. C. Delis, J. H. Kramer, E. Kaplan, & B. A. Ober, 1994) in a week-long camp setting, daily morning cortisol levels were assessed throughout the duration of camp, and behavioral symptoms were evaluated. Maltreatment and cortisol regulation were not related to short- or long-delay recall or recognition memory. However, children experiencing neglect and/or emotional maltreatment and low cortisol evinced heightened false recognition memory. Dissociative symptoms were higher in maltreated children; however, high dissociation was related to recognition inaccuracy only among non-maltreated children. Results highlight the interplay between maltreatment and hypocortisolism in children's recognition memory errors.
Cicchetti
Dante
D
Institute of Child Development, University ofMinnesota, 51 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. cicchett@umn.edu
Rogosch
Fred A
FA
Howe
Mark L
ML
Toth
Sheree L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry
D006854:Hydrocortisone