In conclusion, findings from the present study suggest sexual assaultive trauma exposure before 10 years of age is associated with a slower rate of change in developmental trajectories of frontal oscillations during response inhibition (no-go frontal theta power) across adolescence and young adulthood and increased levels of behavioral disinhibition. In addition, this atypical neurophysiologic development, which might reflect delays in frontal cortical maturation and synaptic pruning, was associated with young adult INT and alcohol use problems. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that changes in neural development related to early sexual trauma exposure could increase later risk for mental health problems. These findings highlight the importance of developing effective prevention strategies to decrease exposure to childhood sexual assault and to increase treatment after trauma exposure, because this early experience significantly increases the risk for a cascade of mental and physical health problems throughout the individual’s life course. Researchers, clinicians, and policy makers should build on ongoing work aimed at identifying interventions and therapeutic strategies to mitigate the risk associated with early sexual assaultive trauma exposure.
