Several recent articles have explored the effects of military deployment on U.S. service members' mental health outcomes. Although increased attention has also begun to focus on the effects of deployment on military families, providing a conceptualization for the mechanisms of this process can help organize existing information and inform future…

A system of care for abused and neglected infants and young children should adopt a comprehensive perspective, with mental health considerations systematically incorporated into policies and decisions affecting children and their families. Children age birth to 5 years have disproportionately high rates of maltreatment, with long-term consequences…

Comments on the article by Robert Bornstein, "The complex relationship between dependency and domestic violence: Converging psychological factors and social forces." Although a more focused examination of the psychological factors involved in domestic violence is welcome, there are some factual errors in Bornstein's article that need attention and…

Most discussions of the ethics of self-report research on abuse and interpersonal violence focus on the risks of asking participants about their experiences. An important element of the cost-benefit analysis--the costs of not asking about child abuse--has largely been ignored. Furthermore, little research has been conducted on the costs and…

The term child sexual abuse has never been unequivocally defined, which inhibits research, treatment, and advocacy. Early researchers used broad, inclusive definitions that are still used today. Discusses the consequences of these definitions, suggesting strategies for reducing definitional ambiguity (e.g., allowing the definition of child sexual…

Reviews research demonstrating the variable effects of childhood sexual abuse, need for intervention, and effectiveness of available treatment. Proposes extending and modifying treatment from mainstream clinical child psychology to sexually abused children. Interventions range from psychoeducation and screening, to short-term, abuse-focused…

Discusses controversy surrounding a 1998 article on the effects of child sexual abuse, which resulted in official condemnation by Congress and actions by the American Psychological Association to assuage Congressional critics. Written from the perspective of a psychologist serving in Congress, this article discusses political and organizational…

The Clinton administration prioritized the issue of improving the lives of maltreated children. Critical programs administered by the Administration on Children and Families included the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Children's Justice Act programs, and Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act research and demonstration projects. Projects serve…

Examines the history of registration and notification statutes for sex offenders and concerns and legal challenges they have faced, noting psychology's limited knowledge about normal versus abnormal sexual development and research suggesting that recidivism rates for sexual offenses may be lower for juveniles than adults who have received…

Discusses a 1998 article on the effects of child sexual abuse, which created considerable controversy in the media, conservative organizations, and Congress. The incident raises questions about authors' responsibilities in reporting controversial findings, academic and scientific freedom, the American Psychological Association's role in disabusing…

Research directed toward maltreated children possesses an urgency characteristic of all problems of great social import. Child maltreatment sets in motion a probabilistic path that is characterized by failure in the successful resolution of major stage-salient issues of development. These developmental disruptions contribute to a profile of…

Provides background to a forum on psychological mistreatment of children. This forum attempts to stimulate efforts to examine the prevention, treatment, research, and policy aspects of this phenomenon, which many psychologists contend is the core issue in child abuse and neglect. (Author/LHW)

Psychological maltreatment appears to be more prevalent and potentially more destructive than other forms of child abuse and neglect. However, it receives little attention from the public or professional sector. This article reviews the literature and concludes that psychological maltreatment is the core issue in child maltreatment. (Author/LHW)

Identifies several research directions for psychologists interested in studying the psychological maltreatment of children and youth. In order to organize research, two conceptual perspectives are suggested: ecological and developmental. Policy issues are also discussed. (Author/LHW)

Addresses issues surrounding a 1998 study on the effects of childhood sexual abuse from the perspective of the editors who accepted the manuscript, discussing the appropriateness of their editorial decision, inferred motivations of the authors, the editor's role in specific study recommendations and in minimizing mischaracterization of study…