Child maltreatment has been one of the strongest predictors for future psychopathology. It is assumed that child maltreatment disrupts brain circuits adversely affecting the development of cognitive and behavioural domains and functioning. The neurobiological alterations impair several important cognitive functions, including autobiographical memory and reward processing. The present study examines the effect of child maltreatment on autobiographical memory and in turn its impact on emotional regulation and social functioning. Further the study explores the effect on child maltreatment on reward processing and in turn its impact on impulsivity. The number of participants was 139 (non-maltreated=76, maltreated=63). Participants were recruited online and through support groups and were assessed through a set of questionnaires. Participants were grouped based on the severity of maltreatment they had experienced when young: none, low, moderate, and severe. Results indicated no significant differences on autobiographical memory and reward processing of the maltreated group in comparison to the control group. However, the study found that the interaction between child maltreatment and cognitive traits predict adulthood behavioural problems. The results suggest that child maltreatment can disrupt cognitive functions which in turn have a negative impact on behaviour that might persist through life.

The main objective of the study was to determine if adults with a history of maltreatment present with behavioural problems (impulsivity and social functioning) and emotional dysregulation due to cognitive alterations. The maltreated participants were compared to a control group with no history of early-age abuse. Participants were recruited through online platforms, and from support groups with adults with a history of childhood maltreatment. Participants needed to be over 18 years of age, not diagnosed with dementia, native English speakers, or fluent in the English language. The number of participants needed in the study was assessed with G*Power. With the effect size set at 0.15, and the number of predictors at 5, it was found that a sample of 160 participants was needed. Data collection ended earlier than anticipated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with 139 participants successfully completing the study questionnaires. Participants were grouped based on the severity of maltreatment they had experienced when young: none, low, moderate, and severe.