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Current Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Mediate the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Executive Functions.

Author
Abstract
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Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are both associated with lower performances on executive function tasks. However, few researchers have evaluated ACEs, posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, and executive function difficulties in conjunction. Using an online micropayment service, the current study assessed whether PTS symptoms mediated the relationship between ACEs and executive functions. In total, 83 participants (54.2% female, age:  = 28.86,  = 7.71) were administered the ACE questionnaire, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and the Executive Function Index (EFI). A higher number of reported ACEs was related to greater PTS symptom severity ( = .40,  < .001) and worse self-rated executive functions ( = -.32,  = .002). Controlling for the number of reported ACEs, current PTS symptom severity was related to worse executive functions ( = -.45,  < .001). A bootstrapped 95% confidence interval (CI) indicated a significant indirect effect,  = -.18 (95% CI: -.30, -.08), by which current PTS symptoms mediated the relationship between the number of reported ACEs and executive functions. These results suggest that psychological interventions targeting PTS symptoms, in the context of a history of childhood trauma, may concurrently improve executive functions in adult populations.

Year of Publication
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2022
Journal
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Psychological reports
Volume
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125
Issue
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2
Number of Pages
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763-786
ISSN Number
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0033-2941
URL
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https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0033294120979690?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed
DOI
:
10.1177/0033294120979690
Short Title
:
Psychol Rep
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