Ellen C. Herrenkohl

The Psychosocial Consequences of Living Environment Instability on Maltreated Children

The relationship between stability of living arrangements and adolescent deviance was examined for 212 adolescents in a longitudinal study of maltreated and non maltreated children. Transitions in caretakers and residences have a statistically significant relationship to 5 indicators of adolescent deviant behavior. While maltreatment in childhood poses a risk for later deviance in adolescence, the risk can be even greater for those who have experienced more transitions while growing up.

A Comparison of Abused Children and Their Nonabused Siblings

Abstract We compared 295 targets of abuse to 284 nonabused siblings with reference to birth record data and maternal perceptions of the birth and subsequent development of the child. Prematurity; Apgar scores: age of mother at childs birth; self-reports of postpartum depression; maternal perceptions of emotional difficulties of the child, of the childs ability to be influenced by the mother, and of negative characteristics of the child reminiscent of others were related to certain types of abuse and gross neglect. Explanatory hypotheses include weakened attachment bonds and maternal projection of negative attributes and feelings of helplessness.

Parent-Child Interactions in Abusive and Nonabusive Families

Parent-child interactions of 439 parent-child dyads were studied. These included 182 interactions with maltreated children, 199 interactions with maltreating adults, with the remaining interactions from control families served by child welfare agencies, day-care programs, Head Start, and private nursery schools. Income was found to be a significant determinant with parental behavior being more child-centered and supportive at the upper income level, and more parent-centered and child rejecting at the lower income level. Maltreatment was found to be associated with more parental rejection and less child warmth, over and above the effects of income level. The results are discussed in terms of an ecological model of child maltreatment and developmental implications for the victims of maltreatment.