NCJ Number
191679
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 30 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2001 Pages: 769-786
Editor(s)
Daniel Offer
Date Published
2001
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study explored attachment styles of abused and neglected children and how these experiences affected them socially and personally.
Abstract
The study population consisted of 114 children between the ages of 6 through 12 who lived in Israel. Some of these children were abused and neglected. The hypothesis was that abused children would be avoidant and demonstrate higher levels of aggression, whereas neglected children would be anxious and ambivalent with lower levels of aggression. Those who did not fall into either of these categories were secure and experienced the lowest level of aggression. Welfare Department records and self-reports provided the data. The measures used included the Child Suicidal Potential Scale (CSPS), the Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Child Depression Inventory. The assaultive behavior scale measured aggression levels. Lastly, socioeconomic characteristics were taken into consideration. The findings demonstrated that the strategies children adopted in response to their parents were manifested in other social relationships. Physically abused children were at risk of antisocial behavior, whereas neglected children were at risk of being withdrawn and experience feelings of rejection or low self-esteem. According to the authors, the best treatment is intensive psychotherapy to help children attain skills to cope with social relationships and situations. Lastly, the authors believe that further research is needed to improve early therapeutic interventions to change attachment styles and the expression of aggressive behavior. 4 tables, references