Peer relationships and self-esteem among children who have been maltreated.
A prospective longitudinal design was employed to assess risks associated with maltreatment in a representative community sample of 107 maltreated children and an equal number of nonmaltreated comparison children. Heightened difficulties in peer relationships and self-esteem were associated with greater severity and chronicity of maltreatment. For example, children who experienced chronic maltreatment were less well-liked by peers. Type of maltreatment was also related to specific aspects of children's adjustment. For instance, sexual abuse predicted low self-esteem, but not problems in peer relationships. Emotional maltreatment, on the other hand, was related to difficulties in peer relationships, but not to low self-esteem. Thus, the best predictions of specific aspects of children's adjustment were provided by considering timing, type, and severity of maltreatment. For some groups of maltreated children, having a good friend was associated with improvement over time in self-esteem.
Cornell University, Family Life Development Center, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Kerry.Bolger@cornell.edu
K E
KE
Bolger
C J
CJ
Patterson
J B
JB
Kupersmidt
D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013997:Time Factors; D014768:Virginia