Dimensions of childhood trauma and identity disturbance in male adolescents: Examining affected experiences and mediating cognitive functions

Background

Childhood trauma is a major risk factor for identity disturbance, with evidence indicating that cognitive functioning may mediate these effects. Differentiating trauma types and their associated cognitive mediators can deepen understanding of identity development and may guide more effective therapeutic interventions.

Objective

To explore how distinct dimensions of childhood trauma relate to identity disturbance, emphasizing the potential mediating role of cognitive functions.

Participants

The sample comprised 311 male adolescents (M_age = 16.95 years) recruited through convenience sampling from high schools in Yazd, Iran.

Methods

Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Cognitive Abilities Questionnaire, and Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence. The study employed path analysis to test the proposed model.

Results

Sexual abuse showed a direct effect on identity disturbance. Emotional neglect and physical abuse predicted identity disturbance both directly and indirectly through cognitive mediators, whereas physical neglect and emotional abuse influenced identity exclusively via cognitive mechanisms. Significant mediators included inhibitory control (β = 0.10, p < .009), decision-making (β = 0.19, p < .001), sustained attention (β = 0.07, p < .003), and social cognition (β = 0.25, p < .001). The model demonstrated adequate fit indices (CFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.08).

Conclusions

The results highlight the complexity of identity formation pathways, with distinct patterns of association across trauma types and cognitive functions. By differentiating these domains within an underrepresented cultural context, this study enhances conceptual clarity and advances understanding of mechanisms linking trauma and identity disturbance, offering insights for future research and potential clinical applications.