Consequences of physical abuse and neglect in children

The effects of physical abuse on children's social relationships

Social behavior and peer status of 87 physically abused 8-12-year-old urban children were compared with those of 87 case-matched nonmaltreated classmates. Peer nominations and peer ratings were collected in classrooms, social networks were assessed by child interview, family variables were assessed by interviewing mothers, and behavior problems were rated by parents and teachers. Significant findings were that abused children had lower peer status and less positive reciprocity with peers chosen as friends; they were rated by peers as more aggressive and less cooperative and by parents and teachers as more disturbed; and their social networks showed more insularity, atypicality, and negativity. Social behavior as perceived by peers accounted for a significant portion of the variance in social status; global disturbance measures did not add to this association. Results are discussed in terms of a context of family violence in the development of social maladjustment.

Maladaptive mother-child relationships: a pilot study

The primary purposes of this pilot study were to identify maternal psychosocial correlates of unrealistic expectations of children and of child abuse potential, and to investigate the relationships of these factors with child behavior. A cross-sectional, two-group design was used. One group consisted of 20 low-income mothers whose preschool children were referred to a family care center for suspected abuse or neglect. A comparison group was made up to 20 low-income mothers whose children attended a university-based pediatric clinic and who were not referred for abuse or neglect. Data were collected during structured in-home interviews with the mothers. Measures of parental bonding, maternal depressive symptoms, unrealistic expectations of children, child abuse potential, and child behavior were obtained. Preschool teachers of the children also rated the children's behavior. Mothers with high depressive symptoms reported more unrealistic expectations of children and had greater child abuse potential scores than those with fewer symptoms. The more child behavior problems mothers reported, the greater their unrealistic expectations of the children and the higher their score for child abuse potential. Maternal depressive symptoms were not directly related to child behavior. Teacher reports of child behavior were moderately correlated with maternal reports, but no study variable was associated with teacher reports.

Etiological models of child maltreatment. A behavioral perspective

Child abuse and neglect are complex phenomena that require a multidisciplinary perspective. This article describes current etiological formulations of child maltreatment. Three models (ecological, transactional, and transitional) are described that delineate the multiple pathways leading to abuse and neglect. These approaches emphasize the interaction of causative factors in bringing about maltreatment and the importance of high- and low-risk characteristics that differentially influence the development of maltreatment. Behavioral explanations of child maltreatment are also discussed. Particularly relevant here are observational learning, anger control, and coercive family processes. Finally, the implications of our understanding of etiology to assessment, treatment, and prevention are outlined and considered.

Behavioral treatment of the victims of child abuse and neglect

Although there is a little debate that victims of child abuse and neglect suffer ill effect, scientifically validated, behavioral treatment of child victims is virtually nonexistent. This article examines three pertinent facets of the child-maltreatment knowledge base: (a) national child abuse and neglect reporting, (b) empirical investigations of the psychological effects of maltreatment, and (c) a small number of treatment outcome studies. Based on this review, guidelines are presented to promote the development of practical, treatment outcome investigations that adequately reflect existing data about child victims and their life circumstances and that are responsive to their specific needs and available resources.