Childhood neglect may affect a child’s brain development more than previously thought, according to a new study published in Lancet Psychiatry. Previous studies might have missed this important issue because they relied too heavily on self-reported levels of maltreatment.
Nationally, neglect is the most common form of abuse, according to the National Children’s Alliance. Three-fourths (74%) of victims are neglected, 17% are physically abused, 11% are sexually abused, and 0.2% are sex trafficked.
Researchers from King’s College London and the City University of New York looked at 1,179 people in a long-term study in the US. They tested these people to see how well they could think and remember things as adults. Some of these people had official records showing they were neglected as children, while others only reported neglect from their memories.
The study found that people with official neglect records had more trouble with thinking skills than those without such records. However, people who only reported neglect from their memories didn’t show these problems. The study also found that not all childhood mistreatment had the same impact. For example, neglect led to cognitive deficits, or thinking difficulties, but physical or sexual abuse did not show the same effect.
Professor Andrea Danese, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at King’s College, said that relying on people’s memories of their childhood neglect might not give a complete picture. The study suggests that documented neglect cases could lead to more significant thinking problems.
“Our study highlights the importance of identifying young people who have experienced neglect so that the proper support can be put in place, for example, to mitigate the negative consequences in education and employment,” she said.
The researchers believe the thinking problems might be due to a lack of stimulation in childhood, ongoing family issues, or other difficulties like poverty. They say it’s important to understand why neglect affects thinking skills and how to help people who are suffering the effects of neglect or abuse.
