Working memory and selective attention in adolescents with trauma experience and those recovered from acute COVID-19

Adolescence is a sensitive period characterized by rapid cognitive and emotional development, during which exposure to trauma or severe stressors can have lasting effects on cognitive functions. This study aimed to compare working memory and selective attention in adolescents who experienced parental-loss trauma and those who had recovered from acute COVID-19. A total of 120 adolescents (aged 12–20 years) participated, including 61 in the trauma group and 59 in the COVID-19 recovery group. The participants were assessed using the Wechsler Memory Scale, the Computerized Stroop Color–Word Test, the GHQ-28, and the WAIS. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were employed to analyze group differences. Results indicated no significant differences between the two groups in working memory (t = 1.902, p = 0.062) or selective attention (Pillai’s Trace = 0.0169, p = 0.462). These findings suggest that both trauma and recovery from acute COVID-19 may similarly affect adolescents’ cognitive functions, though no group exhibited superior performance in either domain. The study highlights the importance of monitoring and supporting cognitive functions in adolescents exposed to significant stressors, emphasizing early intervention and preventive strategies. Future longitudinal studies are recommended to explore the long-term impact of trauma and COVID-19 on various cognitive domains.