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The Role of Children’s Appraisals on Adjustment Following Psychological Maltreatment: A Pilot Study

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Abstract

Little is known about the cognitive mechanisms involved in the development of psychopathology following psychological maltreatment in children. This study therefore examined the role of thinking styles on children’s outcomes following this subtype of maltreatment. Children who had experienced past maltreatment (n = 24) and a control group (n = 26) were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Maltreatment history, cognitive styles and psychological outcomes, such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and self-esteem were assessed. Parents/caregivers also completed a measure of child internalizing and externalizing behaviours. Psychological maltreatment made a significant contribution to children’s self-reported depression and low self-esteem, and parent reported internalizing and externalizing problems, even after controlling for other abusive experiences. This was not the case for PTSD symptoms. Further, children’s cognitive styles were associated with self-reported depression, self-esteem and PTSD. They did not, however, predict parent-rated emotional and behavioural problems. This study provides preliminary support for a cognitive model of adjustment following psychological maltreatment. The results indicate the need for enhanced community awareness about the impact of psychological maltreatment, and suggest a direction for therapeutic intervention.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank families and staff from Child Protection Services, Department of Families and Communities, and Department of Education and Children’s Services for their involvement in the study.

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  1. School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia

    Fiona J. Leeson & Reginald D. V. Nixon

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  1. Fiona J. Leeson
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  2. Reginald D. V. Nixon
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Correspondence to Reginald D. V. Nixon.

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Leeson, F.J., Nixon, R.D.V. The Role of Children’s Appraisals on Adjustment Following Psychological Maltreatment: A Pilot Study. J Abnorm Child Psychol 39, 759–771 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-011-9507-5

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