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Abstract

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.

© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Bentham Science Publishers.
This is an open access article published under CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
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2026-01-09
2026-01-30

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Associations Between Early Life Adversity, Moral Development, and Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study
Bentham Science Publishers ; https://doi.org/10.2174/0122106766381744251117055139
/content/journals/aps/10.2174/0122106766381744251117055139
/content/journals/aps/10.2174/0122106766381744251117055139
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keywords: psychopathological interferences in conscience functioning ; developmental delays ; adverse childhood experiences ; Moral development and functioning ; children and adolescents ; conscience formation and functioning

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