This study examined the representation of internal states in childhood recollections of male and female adolescents with and without abuse histories. Participants' (N = 71) exposure to spousal violence, physical abuse, and sexual abuse was documented when they were 6 to 12 years old and 6 years later when they were 12 to 18 years old. At the Year 6 assessment, teens recollected childhood experiences related to positive, negative, and neutral cues. Recollections were coded for references to emotions, cognitions, perceptions, and physiological states. Emotion terms varied according to childhood abuse history, whereas other internal states language did not. Teens with childhood abuse histories used fewer emotion terms than other teens but only for memories related to conflict and punishment. Emotion terms were unrelated to depression measured at the second assessment, regardless of abuse history. Explanations for abuse-related patterns of emotional language and possible links to coping and emotion regulation are discussed. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)