Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gvvz8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T18:12:29.212Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The role of child maltreatment in early deviations in cognitive and affective processing abilities and later peer relationship problems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2009

Fred A. Rogosch ,
Dante Cicchetti  and
J. Lawrence Aber
Fred A. Rogosch*
Affiliation:
Mt. Hope Family Center, Department of Psychology, University of Rochester
Dante Cicchetti*
Affiliation:
Mt. Hope Family Center, Department of Psychology, University of Rochester
J. Lawrence Aber
Affiliation:
National Center for Children in Poverty, School of Public Health, Columbia University
*
Fred A. Rogosch or Dante Cicchetti, Mt. Hope Family Center, 187 Edinburgh Street, Rochester, NY 14608
Fred A. Rogosch or Dante Cicchetti, Mt. Hope Family Center, 187 Edinburgh Street, Rochester, NY 14608
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Despite considerable research demonstrating the adverse consequences of child maltreatment, including a heightened risk for adaptational failures and psychopathology, longitudinal evaluations of processes contributing to negative outcomes have been limited. Problems in peer relations constitute a critical developmental risk for future maladaptation among maltreated children, transferring relationship disturbance from the family to new interpersonal contexts. The linkages of a history of child maltreatment to early deviations in cognitive/affective processes, which subsequently lead to difficulties in peer relations were examined. Specifically, in a sample of 46 maltreated and 43 nonmaltreated low-income children, laboratory assessments of affect understanding and cognitive control functioning were conducted, followed by later peer and teacher assessments of peer relations in the school setting. Maltreated children were shown to evidence early deviations in their understanding of negative affect as well as immaturity in their cognitive controls. Maltreated children also were shown to have lower social effectiveness and higher levels of undercontrolled and aggressive behavior in the school setting. Physically abused children were found to be more rejected by their peers. Cognitive control functioning partially mediated the effect of maltreatment on later social effectiveness. Negative affect understanding mediated both the relation of maltreatment on later dysregulated behavior in the peer setting and the effect of physical abuse on later rejection by peers. The results are discussed in terms of their support for organizational/transactional theory and the implications they have for prevention and intervention.

Type
Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 7 , Issue 4: Developmental Processes in Peer Relations and Psychopathology , Fall 1995 , pp. 591 - 609
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aber, J. L., & Allen, J. P. (1987). Effects of maltreat on young children's sorioemotional development: An attachment theory perspective. Developmental Psychology, 23, 406–414.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aber, J. L., Allen, J. P., Carlson, V., & Cicchetti, D. (1989). The effects of maltreatment on development during early childhood: Recent studies and their theoretical, clinical, and policy implications. In Cicchetti, D. & Carlson, V. (Eds.), Child maltreatment: Theory and research on the causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect (pp. 579–619). New York: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Achenbach, T. (1991a). Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist and 1991 Profile. Burlington: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.Google Scholar
Achenbach, T. (1991b). Manual for the Teacher's Report Form and 1991 Profile. Burlington: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.Google Scholar
Barahal, R., Waterman, J., & Martin, A. P. (1981). The social-cognitive development of abused children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 49, 508–516.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderatormediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 1173–1182.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Block, J. H., & Block, J. (1969). The California Child Q-Set. Berkeley: University of California, Institute of Human Development.Google Scholar
Block, J. H., & Block, J. (1980). The role of egocontrol and ego-resiliency in the organization of behavior. In Collins, W. A. (Ed.), Minnesota Symposia on Child Psychology: Vol. 13. Development of cognition, affect, and social relations (pp. 39–101). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Booth, C. L., Rose-Krasnor, L., McKinnon, J., & Rubin, K. H. (1994). Predicting social adjustment in middle childhood: The role of preschool attachment security and maternal style. Social Development, 3, 189–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Borke, H. (1971). Interpersonal perception of young children. Developmental Psychology, 5, 263–269.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss, Vol. I: Attachment. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
Bretherton, I. (1985). Attachment theory: Retrospect and prospect. In I. Bretherton and E. Waters (Eds.), Growing Points of Attachment Theory and Research. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development. 50(Serial No. 209), 3–38.Google Scholar
Camras, L. A., Grow, J. G., & Ribordy, S. C. (1983). Recognition of emotional expression by abused children. Journal of Child Clinical Psychology, 12, 325–328.Google Scholar
Camras, L. A., Ribordy, S., Hill, J., Martino, S., Spacarelli, S., & Stefani, R. (1988). Recognition and posing of emotional expressions by abused children and their mothers. Developmental Psychology, 24, 776–781.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carlson, V., Cicchetti, D., Barnett, D., & Braunwald, K. (1989). Disorganized/disoriented attachment relationships in maltreated infants. Developmental Psychology, 25, 525–531.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cassidy, J., Parke, R. D., Butkovsky, L., & Braungart, J. M. (1992). Family-peer connections: The roles of emotional expressiveness within the family and children's understanding of emotions. Child Development, 63, 603–618.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cicchetti, D. (1989). How research on child maltreatment has informed the study of child development: Perspectives from developmental psychopathology. In Cicchetti, D. & Carlson, V. (Eds.), Child maltreatment: Research and theory on the causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect (pp. 377–431). New York: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cicchetti, D. (1990). The organization and coherence of socioemotional, cognitive, and representational development: Illustrations through a developmental psychopathology perspective on Down syndrome and child maltreatment. In Thompson, R. (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, Vol. 36: Socioemotional development (pp. 259–366). Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.Google Scholar
Cicchetti, D. (1993). Developmental psychopathology: Reactions, reflections, projections. Developmental Review. 13, 471–502.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cicchetti, D., & Barnett, D. (1991a). Attachment organization in maltreated preschoolers. Development and Psychopathology, 3, 397–411.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cicchetti, D., & Barnett, D. (1991b). Toward the development of a scientific nosology of child maltreatment. In Grove, W. & Cicchetti, D. (Eds.), Thinking clearly about psychology: Essays in honor of Paul E. Meehl, Vol. 2: Personality and psychopathology (pp. 346–377). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.Google Scholar
Cicchetti, D., & Beeghly, M. (1987). Symbolic development in maltreated youngsters: An organizational perspective. New Directions for Child Development, 36, 47–68.Google Scholar
Cicchetti, D., & Carlson, V. (Eds.), (1989). Child maltreatment: Theory and research on the causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect. New York: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cicchetti, D., Lynch, M., Shonk, S., & Manly, J. T. (1992). An organizational perspective on peer relations in maltreated children. In Parke, R. D. & Ladd, G. W. (Eds.), Family-peer relationships: Modes of linkage (pp. 345–383). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Cicchetti, D., & Manly, J. T. (1990). A personal perspective on conducting research with maltreating families: Problems and solutions. In Brody, E. & Sigel, I. (Eds.), Family research journeys, Vol. 2: Families at risk (pp. 87–133). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Cicchetti, D., & Rizley, R. (1981). Developmental perspectives on the etiology, intergenerational transmission, and sequelae of child maltreatment. New Directions for Child Development, 11, 31–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cicchetti, D., & Toth, S. L. (1995). A developmental psychopathology perspective on child abuse and neglect. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 541–565.Google Scholar
Cicchetti, D., & Toth, S. L. (in press). Child maltreatment and attachment organization: Implications for intervention. In Goldberg, S., Muir, R., & Kerr, J., (Eds.), Attachment theory: Social, developmental, and clinical perspectives. Hillsdale, NJ: Analytic Press.Google Scholar
Crittenden, P. M. (1988). Relationships at risk. In Belsky, J. & Nezworski, T. (Eds.), Clinical implications of attachment theory (pp. 136–174). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Crittenden, P. M., Partridge, M. F., & Claussen, A. H. (1991). Family patterns of relationship in normative and dysfunctional families. Development and Psychopathology. 3, 491–512.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cummings, E. M., Hennessy, K. D., Rabidcau, G. J., & Cicchetti, D. (1994). Responses of physically abused boys to interadult anger. Development and Psychopathology, 6, 31–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dodge, K. A., Bates, J. E., & Pettit, G. S. (1990). Mechanisms in the cycle of violence. Science, 250, 1678–1683.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dodge, K. A., Pettit, G. S., & Bates, J. E. (1994). Effects of physical maltreatment on the development of peer relations. Development and Psychopathology, 6, 43–55.Google Scholar
Dunn, L. M., & Dunn, L. M. (1981). Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised Manual. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.Google Scholar
During, S. M., & McMahon, R. J. (1991). Recognition of emotional facial expressions by abusive mothers and their children. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 20, 132–139.Google Scholar
Elicker, J., Englund, M., & Sroufe, L. A. (1992). Predicting peer competence and peer relationships in childhood from early parent-child relationships. In Parke, R. D. & Ladd, G. W. (Eds.), Family-peer relationships: Modes of linkage (pp. 77–106). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Fantuzzo, J. W., Jurecic, L., Stovall, A., Hightower, A. D., Goins, C., & Schactel, D. (1988). Effects of adult and peer social initiations on the social behavior of withdrawn maltreated children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56, 34–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gaensbauer, T. J. (1980). Anaclitic depression in a three-and-one-half-month-old child. American Journal of Psychiatry, 21, 163–171.Google Scholar
Gaensbauer, T. J. (1982). Regulation of emotional expression in infants from two contrasting caregiving environments. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 21, 163–171.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gaensbauer, T. J., Mrazek, D., & Harmon, R. (1981). Emotional expression in abused and/or neglected infants. In Frude, N. (Ed.), Psychological approaches to child abuse (pp. 120–135). Totowa, NJ: Rowan and Littlefield.Google Scholar
George, C., & Main, M. (1979). Social interactions of young abused children: Approach, avoidance, and aggression. Child Development, 50, 306–318.Google Scholar
Giovannoni, J., & Becerra, R. M. (1979). Defining child abuse. New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Greenberg, M. T., Kusche, C. A., Cook, E. T., & Quamma, J. P. (1995). Promoting emotional competence in school-aged children: The effects of the PATHS curriculum. Development and Psychopathology, 7, 117–136.Google Scholar
Harter, S. (1985). Teacher's Report of Child's Actual Behavior. Denver: University of Denver, Department of Psychology.Google Scholar
Haskett, M. E., & Kistner, J. A. (1991). Social interactions and peer perceptions of young physically abused children. Child Development, 62, 979–990.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hennessy, K. D., Rabideau, G. J., Cicchetti, D., & Cummings, E. M. (1994). Responses of physically abused and nonabused children to different forms of interadult anger. Child Development, 65, 815–828.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Herrenkohl, R. C., & Herrenkohl, E. C. (1981). Some antecedents and developmental consequences of child maltreatment. New Directions for Child Development, 11, 57–76.Google Scholar
Hoffman-Plotkin, D., & Twentyman, C. T. (1984). A multimodal assessment of behavioral and cognitive deficits in abused and neglected preschoolers. Child Development, 55, 794–802.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hollingshead, A. F. (1975). Four-Factor Index of Social Status. Unpublished manuscript, Yale University, Department of Sociology, New Haven CT.Google Scholar
Howes, C., & Eldredge, R. (1985). Responses of abused, neglected, and non-maltreated children to the behavior of their peers. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 6, 261–270.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Howes, C., & Espinosa, M. P. (1985). The consequences of child abuse for the formation of relationships with peers. Child Abuse and Neglect, 9, 397–404.Google Scholar
Howes, P. W., & Cicchetti, D. (1993). A family/relational perspective on maltreating families: Parallel processes across systems and social policy implications. In Cicchetti, D. & Toth, S. L. (Eds.), Child abuse, child development, and social policy (pp. 249–299). Norwood, NJ: Ablex.Google Scholar
Izard, C. E., & Harris, P. (1995). Emotional development and developmental psychopathology. In Cicchetti, D. & Cohen, D. J. (Eds.), Developmental psychopathology. Vol. 1: Theory and methods (pp. 467–503). New York: Wiley.Google Scholar
Jacobson, R. S., & Straker, G. (1982). Peer group interaction of physically abused children. Child Abuse and Neglect, 6, 321–327.Google Scholar
Kaufman, J., & Cicchetti, D. (1989). Effects of maltreatment on school-age children's socioemotional development: Assessments in a Day-Camp Setting. Developmental Psychology, 25, 516–524.Google Scholar
Klimes-Dougan, B., & Kistner, J. (1990). Physically abused preschoolers' responses to peers' distress. Developmental Psychology, 26, 599–602.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lieberman, A. F., Weston, D., & Pawl, J. H. (1991). Preventive intervention and outcome with anxiously attached dyads. Child Development, 62, 199–209.Google Scholar
Main, M., & George, C. (1985). Response of abused and disadvantaged toddlers to distress in agemates: A study in the day care setting. Developmental Psychology, 21, 407–412.Google Scholar
Main, M., & Hesse, P. (1990). Parent's unresolved traumatic experiences are related to disorganized infant attachment status: Is frightened and/or frightening parental behavior the linking mechanism? In Greenberg, M., Cicchetti, D., & Cummings, E. M. (Eds.), Attachment during the preschoolyears (pp. 161–182). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Masten, A. S., Morison, P., & Pellegrini, D. S. (1985). A revised class play method of peer assessment. Developmental Psychology, 21, 523–533.Google Scholar
Mueller, N., & Silverman, N. (1989). Peer relations in maltreated children. In Cicchetti, D. & Carlson, V. (Eds.), Child maltreatment: Theory and research on the causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect (pp. 529–578). New York: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
National Research Council (1993). Understanding child abuse and neglect. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.Google Scholar
Okun, A., Parker, J. G., & Levendosky, A. A. (1994). Distinct and interactive contributions of physical abuse, socioeconomic disadvantage, and negative life events to children's social, cognitive, and affective adjustment. Development and Psychopathology, 6, 77–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parker, J. G., & Asher, S. R. (1987). Peer relations and later personal adjustment: Are low-accepted children at risk? Psychological Bulletin, 102, 357–389.Google Scholar
Rieder, C., & Cicchetti, D. (1989). Organizational perspective on cognitive control functioning and cognitive-affective balance in maltreated children. Developmental Psychology, 25, 382–393.Google Scholar
Rogosch, F. A., & Cicchetti, D. (1994). Illustrating the interface of family and peer relations through the study of child maltreatment. Social Development, 3, 291–308.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rogosch, F. A., Cicchetti, D., Shields, A., & Toth, S. L. (1995). Parenting dysfunction in child maltreatment. In Bornstein, M. H. (Ed.), Handbook of parenting. Vol. 4: Applied and practical parenting. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Rubin, K. H., & Mills, R. S. L. (1988). The many faces of social isolation in childhood. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56, 916–924.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Salzinger, S., Feldman, R. S., Hammer, M., & Rosario, M. (1993). The effects of physical abuse on children's social relationships. Child Development, 64, 169–187.Google Scholar
Santostefano, S. (1978). A biodevelopmental approach to child clinical psychology. New York: Wiley.Google Scholar
Selman, R. L., & Schultz, L. H. (1990). Making a friend in youth: Developmental theory and pair therapy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Shields, A. M., Cicchetti, D., & Ryan, R. M. (1994). The development of emotional and behavioral selfregulation and social competence among maltreated school-age children. Development and Psychopathology, 6, 57–75.Google Scholar
Sroufe, L. A. (1979). The coherence of individual development. American Psychologist, 34, 834–841.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sroufe, L. A. (1989). Pathways to adaptation and maladaptation:Psychopathology as developmental deviation. In Cicchetti, D. (Ed.), Rochester Symposium on Developmental Psychopathology. Vol. 1: The emergence of a discipline (pp. 13–40). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Starr, R., & Wolfe, D. (Eds.). (1991). The effects of child abuse and neglect: Issues and findings. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Toth, S. L., & Cicchetti, D. (1993). Child maltreatment: Where do we go from here in the treatment of victims? In Cicchetti, D. & Toth, S. L. (Eds.), Child abuse, child development, and social policy (pp. 399–437). Norwood, NJ: Ablex.Google Scholar
Waters, E., Noyes, D. M., Vaughn, B. E., & Ricks, M. (1985). Q-sort definitions of social competence and self-esteem: Discriminant validity of related constructs in theory and data. Developmental Psychology, 21, 508–522.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Weiss, B., Dodge, K. A., Bates, J. E., & Pettit, G. S. (1992). Some consequences of early harsh discipline: Child aggression and a maladaptive social information processing style. Child Development, 63, 1321–1335.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Younger, A., & Daniels, T. (1992). Children's reasons for nominating their peers as withdrawn: Passive withdrawal versus active isolation. Developmental Psychology, 28, 955–960.CrossRefGoogle Scholar