Childhood adversity, executive function and mental health support.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiences of cognitive difficulties and engaging in mental health services in service users who have adverse childhood experiences.
IRAS ID
352657
Contact name
Lynne Patience
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 22 days
Research summary
Research suggests that experiencing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; any potentially traumatic event before age 18) can cause executive function(EF) difficulties in adulthood. EFs are skills such as memory, planning, problem solving, organising and impulsivity. Research suggests that those with EF challenges, may have less favourable outcomes when accessing mental health services. Most current research uses questionnaires with predefined responses and does not tell us the day-to-day EF difficulties those who have endured ACEs experience nor do they tell us their experiences of engaging in mental health services. The current study aims to talk to those aged 18- 65 who are accessing CNTW, NHS services who identify as having EF difficulties (unrelated to brain injury/age) and have experienced ACEs with the aim of looking to answer the questions of:
1. What are service users’ who have experienced ACEs everyday experiences of EF difficulties and what sense do they make of these?
2. What are the impacts of EF difficulties for service users who have experienced ACEs on accessing and engaging in mental health services?
The study will use screening tools to look at self-reported EF difficulties and ACEs. It will then use individual interviews with service users to explore responses further and answer the research questions. These interviews will last approximately 1 hour. The research aims to increase our understanding of the cognitive impacts of ACEs and how combined, this contributes to accessing and engaging in services. A more in depth understanding may enhance skills of delivering trauma-informed care in the NHS and may suggest that EF difficulties need to be taken into account when providing treatment to those accessing mental health services so that they can have more favourable outcomes. The research may also have implications for early intervention services for children and young people who are currently facing or have faced ACEs.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/1109
Date of REC Opinion
29 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion