Abstract
Physically abused and nonabused children were compared on child-completed measures of depression, hopelessness, self-esteem, and locus of control. Results indicated that, in comparison with nonabused controls, abused children evidenced more depressive symptoms, heightened externality, lower self-esteem, and greater hopelessness about the future. Group differences in depressive symptomatology were not accounted for on the basis of differences in age, sex, race, gender, IQ, or socioeconomic status. Results replicate the results of Kazdin, Moser, Colbus, and Bell (1985) derived from a sample of physically abused psychiatric inpatients and extend the generality of these findings to abused children of nonpatient status. Implications of the findings for clinical interventions, theoretical models of child depression, and future research are discussed.
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The authors wish to thank Alvin Hadley and the staff of Franklin County Children Services.
Appreciation is also extended to Dr. Charles Wenar.
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Allen, D.M., Tarnowski, K.J. Depressive characteristics of physically abused children. J Abnorm Child Psychol 17, 1–11 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00910766
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00910766