A prospective examination of the role of psychosocial factors as mediators between childhood maltreatment and cognitive impairment in late midlife

Abstract

Childhood maltreatment is associated with increased risk for cognitive impairment. We examined whether psychosocial factors (socioeconomic status, education, depression, social support, social isolation) explained this relationship. In a prospective longitudinal study, children with documented histories of maltreatment and demographically matched controls were followed for over 30 years. Psychosocial variables were assessed in young adulthood ( N  = 1196, M age  = 29), and cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) was assessed in late midlife ( N  = 447, M age  = 59.4). Analyses included logistic regression and structural equation modeling. Childhood maltreatment and higher levels of social isolation increased risk for CIND, whereas higher socioeconomic status (SES), education, and depression symptoms in young adulthood decreased risk for CIND. Social support was not associated with CIND. Education and SES partially mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and CIND. Increasing educational opportunities for maltreated children may improve SES and reduce risk for CIND and dementia.