title: The prospective contribution of childhood maltreatment to low self-worth, low relationship quality, and symptomatology across adolescence: A developmental-organizational perspective.
abstract: This research investigated the prospective contribution of childhood maltreatment to low self-worth, low relationship quality, and symptoms during adolescence. Further, the stability and cross-lagged effects of these sequelae of maltreatment were examined over time. History of maltreatment during childhood was obtained, and youth (407 maltreated, 228 nonmaltreated; 376 males, 259 females) completed 2 subsequent assessments spaced approximately 2 years apart during early-mid and mid-late adolescence. As anticipated, childhood maltreatment experiences predicted low self-worth, low relationship quality, and both internalizing and externalizing symptoms in early-mid adolescence. Beyond the stability paths of each outcome variable, significant cross-lagged effects were observed among low self-worth, low relationship quality, and internalizing symptoms across adolescence. In contrast, cross-lagged effects were not observed among adolescent externalizing symptoms. These findings support a developmental-organizational model in which childhood maltreatment creates multiple vulnerabilities that evince continuity and generate mutually influencing effects across adolescence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Bethel University.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.affiliation: Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota.
authors.forename: Dante
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cicchetti
authors.affiliation: Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester.
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rogosch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept