Adverse Childhood Experiences and Executive Function Difficulties in Children: A Systematic Review

Background The relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and detrimental poor mental health outcomes has been increasingly explored within scientific literature since the original ACE study was published by Felitti et al. (1998). Given that deficits in executive functions (EF) are prominent in most forms of psychopathology across the lifespan, there is utility in considering how ACEs relate to EF outcomes. Objective To consolidate the research to date on the relationship between ACEs and EF outcomes among child samples. Methods A systematic review was conducted that included 16 scientific databases and 17 grey literatures. Results Across 36 studies, many examined EF related to forms of maltreatment (e.g. abuse, neglect, and exposure to intimate partner violence) and found a strong relationship between maltreatment and EF deficits among children. Similarly, family member mental illness (maternal depression in particular) was associated with poor EF outcomes. The relationship between other ACEs and EF outcomes have not been uniquely examined, including intimate partner violence and family member incarceration. Conclusions This review acts as a preliminary step towards broader understanding of outcomes related to early childhood experiences through the consideration of EFs. Through documentation of such relationships, it is possible to consider how prevention and treatment approaches may be improved.