Efficiency of voluntary auditory-speech memory in younger schoolchildren with different types of dysontogenesis

Abstract

Introduction Assessing of voluntary auditory verbal memory, mediated or non-mediated by meaning context is an important component of impaired mental or psychic development estimation in children with different types of dysontogenesis. Objectives Investigation of memory in chidren with mental disorders Methods Participants: Children 9-12 years: ND - 25 normal development (14 boys), F70 - 31 with mild mental retardation (18 boys), F20.8 - 15 children with childhood type of schizophrenia (11 boys) and F21- 29 with schizotypal disorder (22 boys). Learning of 10 words, simple (SPA) and complex (CPA) paired associations. Assessing Parameter - auditory-speech memory efficiency in each of techniques. Mann-Whitney criterion. Results There were significant differences in memory efficiency of 10 words between F21 and F70 (p≤0.01) and F70 and F20.8 (p≤0.05). Simple paired associations - no differences between all groups. Complex paired associations: F21 and F70 (p≤0.05), F21 and F20.8 (p≤0.01). ND - significant differences in memory efficiency of 10 words with all groups (F21 – p ≤0.01, F20.8 – p ≤0.05, F70 – p ≤0.01). SPA: significant differences with all groups (p≤ 0.01). CPA - significant differences words with all groups (F21 – p≤ 0.05, F20.8 – p≤ 0.01, F70 – p ≤0.01). Conclusions Сommon features of working memory in children with diseased type of development:- improved memorization with introduction of strong semantic connections for all types of dysontogenesis. For complex connections in different groups we suppose different mechanisms of destroyed memory: F70 - low level of thinking, F20.8 - decreasing in mental activity or as a result of forming defect. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Keywords

• children with mental and psychic disorders
• voluntary auditory-verbal memory