Executive functioning in trauma-exposed youth

The studies presented in this dissertation aimed to (1) examine the links between trauma exposure and executive functioning and (2) investigate whether executive functioning also influences the development of posttraumatic stress and trauma treatment completion or responsiveness. The findings of this dissertation show that executive functioning is a complicating factor for trauma-exposed youth. After being exposed to a traumatic event, children experience negative consequences for their executive functioning and they are at increased risk for re-traumatization. This results in problems on various levels of daily functioning, which may last for a long time. The results of the studies in this dissertation also made clear that especially the impact of complex (multiple and/or prolonged interpersonal trauma exposure), as compared with single, trauma exposure on executive functioning is associated with more posttraumatic stress symptoms. Finally, our results indicated that when youth have lower executive functioning this does not necessarily lead to a lower likelihood of treatment completion or less treatment responsiveness.
Based on the findings of this dissertation, two important recommendations can be made. First, it is important to identify trauma-exposed youth at a young age, as trauma exposure accumulates over time and has long term consequences for the level of executive functioning. Second, clinicians, caregivers and teachers need a better understanding of the impact of trauma exposure on executive functioning and its impact on daily life functioning both at school and at home.