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The Effects of Maltreatment and Neuroendocrine Regulation on Memory Performance
Author(s) -
Cicchetti Dante,
Rogosch Fred A.,
Howe Mark L.,
Toth Sheree L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01488.x
Subject(s) - psychology , developmental psychology , neglect , dissociation (chemistry) , child abuse , recall , cortisol awakening response , child neglect , recognition memory , memoria , dissociative , poison control , clinical psychology , injury prevention , cognition , hydrocortisone , psychiatry , cognitive psychology , medicine , medical emergency , chemistry
This investigation examined basic memory processes, cortisol, and dissociation in maltreated children. School‐aged children (age range = 6–13), 143 maltreated and 174 nonmaltreated, 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 nonmaltreated children. Results highlight the interplay between maltreatment and hypocortisolism in children’s recognition memory errors.