The impact of early physical and sexual abuse (EPA/SA) occurring in the first 5 years of life was investigated in relation to depressive and internalizing symptomatology and diurnal cortisol regulation. In a summer camp context, school-aged maltreated (n = 265) and nonmaltreated (n = 288) children provided morning and late afternoon saliva samples…

Background: This investigation addresses whether there are differences in the form and content of autobiographical memory recall as a function of maltreatment, and examines the roles of self-system functioning and psychopathology in autobiographical memory processes. Methods: Autobiographical memory for positive and negative nontraumatic events…

A depth-of-processing incidental recall task for maternal-referent stimuli was utilized to assess basic memory processes and the affective valence of maternal representations among abused (N = 63), neglected (N = 33), and nonmaltreated (N = 128) school-aged children (ages 8-13.5 years old). Self-reported and observer-rated indices of internalizing…

Examined whether the predominance of particular themes in maltreated preschoolers' stories about relationships is related to type of maltreatment they experienced. Found significant differences among the physically abused, sexually abused, neglected, and comparison subgroups with respect to the predominance of specific relationship themes in their…

Examined roles of children's relationships (N=61 children) with their mothers in affecting school adaptation in maltreated and nonmaltreated children. Partially confirmed hypotheses that a secure relationship with mothers fosters positive school adaptation, while an insecure relation would contribute to maladaptive functioning. Results are…