Effect of stress on cognitive functions in Sri Lankan adolescents

Abstract

Psychosocial stress may affect cognitive (CF) and executive functions (EF). The objective of this study was to determine the association between stress and CF during adolescence. In this cross-sectional study on adolescents (n = 162; mean age 11.82 years ± 0.40 SD; 73.5% males), psychosocial adversity was measured by the Adolescent Psychosocial Adversity Questionnaire (APAQ). CF and EF were assessed by the Test of Non Verbal Intelligence (TONI-3), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV), visuospatial working memory and stroop inhibitory tasks. Stress was observed in 85% of adolescents. The Perceptual Reasoning Index (b1 -0.180, b2 -0.052, p = 0.091), Processing Speed Index (b2 -0.042, p 0.022) and Estimated Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (b1 -0.072, b2 -0.140, p 0.028) were non-linearly related with stress and reflected an inverted U-shape curve. The results indicate the necessity of a base line level of stress for cognition. Both high and low levels of stress are detrimental to cognition in adolescents.