NCJ Number
136528
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 217-228
Date Published
1992
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Despite the availability of effective psychological treatment for nonabused children, direct psychological treatment of abused children has been rarely reported. Instead, the child abuse field has concentrated on the needs of maltreating parents.
Abstract
While maltreated children may demonstrate psychological characteristics including low self-esteem, aggressive behavior, and cognitive limitations, it is not clear that the relationship between abuse and child psychopathology is causal; it may well be correlational. Although no single profile can describe all maltreated children, compared to their peers, they tend to show greater difficulty with self-control and aggression; less social sensitivity; poor cognitive skills and academic performance; and poor social relationships, affective expression, and moral development. There is an extensive body of literature on empirically validated interventions for other child populations exhibiting many of these psychological problems. More research is needed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of those procedures when applied to maltreated children. Partial solutions, including parent training, the development of theoretical models of attachment, and training in self-control procedures and skills training for the children, could provide some sort of effective treatment. 120 references (Author abstract modified)