ItemArticle

Associations Between Early Life Adversity, Moral Development, and Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Title
Associations Between Early Life Adversity, Moral Development, and Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study
Creator
Khurana, Priyal; Singh, Ram N.; Galvin, Matthew; Gaffney, Margaret; Gupta, Mayank
Description
Introduction: Moral psychological development is shaped by socio-cultural and neurobiological factors, with the formation of conscience central to this process. Early Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been linked to delays in moral development and increased risk of psychiatric disorders. This study examined how adversity affects conscience functioning, specifically the association between Psychopathological Interference (PI) and delays in Conscience Stages (CS) compared to youth raised in relative advantage. Methods: We analyzed 125 conscience-sensitive psychiatric interviews with youth admitted to a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). CS scores were compared with expected stages from community youth, using the Conscience Development Quotient (CDQ = CS attained CS expected 100). PI was rated on a Likert scale, incorporating full psychiatric evaluations, behavioral ratings, and DSM diagnoses. Multiple regression models examined the associations between CDQ, PI, and Clinical Global Assessment of Functioning (CGAF) scores, controlling for six covariates. Results: Participants (mean age, 14.2 years; 59% male, 41% female) exhibited significantly greater distress signals across conscience domains compared to community youth. No differences emerged by age at the onset of ACE. However, lower CDQ was associated with higher PI, earlier ACE onset, DSM Axis II disorders, and lower CGAF. Legal history and ACE count were not significant predictors. The model explained 22.7% of the variance in CDQ (p = 0.00018). Discussion: Findings highlight CDQ as a sensitive measure of developmental impact, beyond simply identifying red flags, consistent with prior ACE research. Retrospective design may limit sensitivity to ACE characteristics. Conclusion: Systematic conscience-sensitive interviewing, attuned to cultural and developmental contexts, may enhance clinical assessment of moral functioning. 2025, Bentham Science Publishers
Source
Adolescent Psychiatry;
Date
01-01-2025
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers
Subject
adverse childhood experiences; children and adolescents; conscience formation and functioning; developmental delays; Moral development and functioning; psychopathological interferences in conscience functioning
Coverage
Khurana P., Christ University, Karnataka, Bangalore, 560029, India; Singh R.N., Indira Gandhi Open National University, Department of Economics, New Delhi, 110068, India; Galvin M., Department of Bioethics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 340 W 10th St, Indianapolis, IN46202, United States; Gaffney M., Department of Bioethics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 340 W 10th St, Indianapolis, IN46202, United States; Gupta M., Department of Psychiatry, Southwood Psychiatric Hospital, 2575 Boyce Plaza Rd 2575 Boyce Plaza Road, Pittsburgh, 15241, PA, United States
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISSN: 22106766;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Khurana, Priyal; Singh, Ram N.; Galvin, Matthew; Gaffney, Margaret; Gupta, Mayank, “Associations Between Early Life Adversity, Moral Development, and Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/23382.

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