The state of higher mental functions in young adults who experienced abuse during childhood and adolescence (pilot study)

Context and relevance. Childhood abuse has a negative impact on physical and mental health, socioeconomic status and quality of life of victims. Child and adolescent abuse leads to disruptions in the structural integrity of various parts of the brain. There is an objective lack of scientific data on the characteristics of cognitive functioning of individuals who were abused in childhood and adolescence. Objective. The aim of this study was to identify and describe deviations in the functioning of higher mental functions, potentially caused by structural defects of the brain caused by abuse. Methods and materials. The experimental group consisted of 20 young adults (15 women, 5 men, mean age — 20 years) who were abused in childhood and adolescence. Experience of abuse was confirmed using the international questionnaire ICAST-R. The control group included 19 young adults (2 men, 17 women, mean age — 21 years) with no history of abuse. To assess the state of higher mental functions (gnosis, praxis, memory, attention, thinking), a protocol was drawn up from neuropsychological and pathopsychological tests. Results. It has been found that individuals who were abused in childhood and adolescence are characterized by disturbances in attentional-mnestic processes, thinking, tactile gnosis, dynamic and spatial praxis. The frontal lobes and subcortical structures of the brain, and the parietal-occipital cortices were predominantly affected. Conclusions. Understanding the long-term consequences of childhood abuse on the cognitive functioning of victims will allow us to find more effective approaches to early diagnosis and prevention of disorders of higher mental functions.

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