Senior citizens socializing and participating in mentally stimulating leisure activities together in a bright, indoor communal setting.

HDFS doctoral student Chloe Horowitz publishes research on trauma, cognitive health and personal control

Chloe Horowitz, a doctoral student in human development and family sciences, published a first-authored article in the Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences. The study, based on her master's thesis, found that people who experienced early life trauma had poorer cognitive function in adulthood — but that the impact of trauma was weaker among those with a stronger sense of personal control in their lives.

The findings suggest that perceived control may serve as a protective factor for cognitive health among trauma survivors, with implications for intervention and support across the lifespan.

Rad the article.