Children experiencing emotional trauma show less cognitive abilities in later life

Children experiencing emotional trauma may find their intellectual development affected later in life.

According to research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, trauma such as abuse, neglect or the witnessing of violence leave youngsters potentially vulnerable with the most damage occurring to children aged two years and under.

Researchers in the US studied the development of 206 children from birth to eight years of age.

Children who were found to have been exposed to maltreatment or violence scored lower scores on cognitivie measures.

The researchers say: “The results suggest that [maltreatment and witnessing domestic violence] in early childhood, particularly during the first two years, has significant and enduring effects on cognitive development, even after adjusting for [other risk factors].”