Dhatshayini Rattambige, PhD candidate
Childhood adversities, such as maltreatment and early life stressors, have been shown to disrupt healthy brain development, potentially leading to cognitive, emotional, and behavioural consequences that persist into adulthood. Despite extensive research into the individual effects of childhood adversities and alcohol exposure, a comprehensive understanding of how these factors interact to influence youth brain development remains limited. This project addresses this critical gap by examining how different types of childhood maltreatment, their timing, prenatal alcohol exposure, and early alcohol use affect brain structure and cognitive functioning during adolescence and beyond.
This project seeks to enhance our understanding of the intricate relationship between childhood adversity and substance use on neurodevelopment. The ultimate mission is to inform early intervention strategies and policies that reduce the risk of adverse outcomes and promote resilience among at-risk youth.
The project is a collaboration with data providers from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study and the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.
Method
Research questions and foreseen challenges
Findings will be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders. Policymakers and mental health professionals may use the findings to enhance policy frameworks that support evidence-based mental health and substance use prevention strategies. This could improve societal outcomes through targeted, effective early intervention programs that reduce the long-term impact of childhood adversities and substance use.
Educators and youth service providers may find results helpful when developing educational and training resources for professionals working with at-risk youth. Outcomes could be a strengthening of cognitive and emotional resilience in young people, contributing to healthier developmental trajectories. Incorporating findings into existing prevention and intervention programs might reduce the prevalence of alcohol use disorders and related mental health issues among youth.
Further research in neuroscience, psychology and public health could further address the needs of youth exposed to childhood adversities and early alcohol exposure.
Australian Child Maltreatment Study
Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study
Australian Catholic University Human Research Ethics Committee, Application numbers: 2024-3876X and 2024-3818X
July 2022 to October 2025
For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au
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