On the mediating effects of pregnancy and birth stress events on the relation between lateral preferences and cognitive functioning in healthy school-aged children

J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2011 Jun;33(5):548-58. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2010.537647. Epub 2011 Feb 22.

Abstract

If the pathological left-handedness theory is valid, left-handed people who also experienced pregnancy and birth stress events (PBSEs) would especially be expected to deviate from the cognitive norm (rather than left-handers in general). This hypothesis was tested in a large sample of healthy children (aged 6.6-15.9 years). Multiple cognitive abilities were assessed, including verbal fluency and working memory. Children with a left lateral preference who also experienced a PBSE did not deviate from the cognitive norm. Age was positively associated with all cognitive measures, and mean level of parental education strongly affected verbal fluency functioning.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child Development / physiology
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality*
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Negotiating / methods*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Obstetric Labor Complications / psychology*
  • Obstetric Labor Complications / rehabilitation*
  • Pregnancy
  • Stress, Physiological*
  • Verbal Learning