NCJ Number
212014
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2005 Pages: 311-323
Date Published
November 2005
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study tested a model in which shame mediates the relationship between child maltreatment and behavioral adjustment.
Abstract
Children who have been victimized by physical abuse or neglect are at heightened risk for a variety of behavior problems. However, current models of how children are adversely impacted by maltreatment fail to account for the diversity of adjustment outcomes seen in child victims. This study tested the hypotheses: (1) maltreatment predicts increased shame; (2) shame predicts anger; (3) anger predicts increased behavior problems; (4) shame mediates the relationship between maltreatment and anger; and (5) anger mediates the relationship between shame and behavior problems. Participants were 177 children enrolled in preschool or therapeutic programs that included children referred by Child Protective Services (CPS); 90 of the mothers had histories of perpetrating child physical abuse or neglect. Children’s teachers completed the Teacher Report Form measuring internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and children underwent evaluative testing measuring shame, anger, and sadness. Results of statistical analyses indicated that physical abuse was associated with increased shame, which was in turn associated with increased anger. Increased anger among children was associated with teacher ratings of behavior problems, especially externalizing problems. In addition to shame and anger, the findings suggested that the age of the child and the type of maltreatment were also important factors contributing to the variance in behavioral adjustment outcomes following maltreatment trauma. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of treatment programs for abused children that target shame. Figures, tables, references