Interpersonal Trauma Exposure and Cognitive Development in Children to Age 8 Years: A Longitudinal Study

Childhood exposure to traumatic events has significant effects on longterm cognitive development, as evidenced by negative associations with intelligence quotient (IQ) scores, language development and academic achievement. [1, 3] The impact of timing of exposure is not well understood, though current knowledge regarding brain development suggests that the type, magnitude and persistence of effects depends on when in development exposure occurs. [1, 4] In early development, particularly from birth to age 2 years, the brain undergoes rapid growth and reorganisation, a process heavily influenced by environmental factors. [5, 6] Structural and functional reorganisation that occurs during this sensitive period may become permanent, influencing subsequent development, even after environmental conditions change. Therefore, early childhood trauma may have considerable and enduring effects on cognitive development, though empirical evidence in this area is needed. [1].