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Previous research has exhibited the impact that maternal support has on children following instances of child sexual abuse (CSA; Cyr, McDuff, & Hébert, 2013; Valentino, Berkowitz, & Stover, 2010). However, it remains unclear as to what degree a maternal caregiver’s history of abuse effects their ability to provide support for their child following instances of CSA. Few previous studies have been able to draw consistent conclusions concerning the effect of a maternal history of abuse on support provided for CSA victims (Smith et al., 2017). The current study examined these factors using the Maternal Support Questionnaire- Child Report (MSQ-CR; Smith et al., 2017), an established measure of maternal support as indicated from the child’s perspective. The MSQ-CR separates CSA-specific maternal support into the following three subscales: Emotional Support, Skeptical Preoccupation, and Protection/Retaliation. Multiple correlations and hierarchical linear regressions were executed to examine the effect that maternal histories of childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and/or romantic partner physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse had on maternal support following cases of CSA. Additionally, variables supported by previous research as influencing maternal support following CSA were accounted for to gain a more accurate perspective on the potential impact of a maternal abuse history on support (Cyr et al., 2003; Cyr et al., 2013; Smith et al., 2010). These variables included maternal relationship with the abuser, maternal relationship with parents, maternal-caregiver child relationship quality, child age, and child gender. Results from the study supported previous research exhibiting the impact of maternal caregiver relationship with the perpetrator of her child’s abuse as well as maternal caregiver-child relationship quality on maternal support. Regarding variables related to a maternal history of abuse, childhood physical abuse, romantic partner physica

Child maltreatment (CM) is a substantial public health concern and its occurrence often brings a host of negative outcomes for the individuals involved and the larger community as a whole. Adults who experienced CM in their youth often endure a wide variety of persistent physical and psychological dysfunction (Afifi, et al., 2016; Jaffee, 2017). In addition, growing evidence suggests the negative consequences of exposure to CM may not only persist over the exposed individual’s life span, but also may be transmitted across generations (Schwerdtfeger & Goff, 2007), though the specific mechanisms underlying this intergenerational transmission of trauma are poorly understood. The current study sought to examine potential maternal caregiver-child interactions and characteristics (e.g., emotion regulation and attachment) which may present as pathways for the transmission of trauma utilizing path analysis. Though the model demonstrated unsatisfactory fit, ?²= 188.26 (df = 13, P = .000), RMSEA = 0.29, NFI = 0.46, NNFI = 0.93, CFI = 0.46, the current study found robust correlations between maternal caregiver’s negative emotion regulation capabilities and insecure attachment and those of their children. The current study adds to the extant literature in providing additional support for programming aimed at improving the mother-child relationship, both within the context of CM and within families without such experiences.

Childhood psychological abuse, psychological neglect, and physical neglect areincreasingly common, pervasive forms of maltreatment, and the effects are often enduring intoadulthood. These types of maltreatment may influence personality traits, and similarly,underlying personality traits may influence how a child reacts to their maltreatment. Onesignificant known effect of psychological abuse and psychological and physical neglect is itseffect on adulthood interpersonal functioning, specifically within romantic relationships. Thus,the present study explored the relationships between these three forms of childhoodmaltreatment, personality traits, and adulthood romantic relationship quality.College students (N = 149) from a southeastern regional college completedquestionnaires pertaining to childhood maltreatment, personality, and perceived relationshipquality. Results indicated that, for the total sample, childhood maltreatment was correlated withcertain personality factors as well as specific facets within these factors. Results also indicatednegative correlations between childhood maltreatment and relationship quality. Contrary to priorresearch, results did not indicate significant relationships between most personality factors andrelationship quality. Results are suggestive of the different impacts these specific forms ofchildhood maltreatment may have on both personality and relationship quality.

Conduct disorder is one of the most frequently diagnosed disorders for boys and girls under the age of 18. Although it is the second most common psychiatric disorder in girls, boys are much more likely to receive a conduct disorder diagnosis than girls. This gender difference in the prevalence rates of disruptive behavior disorders, such as conduct and oppositional defiant disorders, may be due to the underrepresentation of females in studies used to determine the diagnostic criteria of these disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Another reason could be because females tend to display more covert forms of aggression and misconduct, whereas males often show more physical or instrumental forms. Males are highly overrepresented, potentially making it less likely for females to receive a diagnosis of conduct or oppositional defiant disorder, even when they display aggressive and delinquent behaviors. As females with CD are susceptible to several comorbid psychological diagnoses, further research is essential for diagnostic and treatment purposes. The purpose of the current study was to further define any gender differences in aggressive behaviors in males and females and to look at the relationship between the experience of varying levels of child abuse and aggressive and disruptive behavior. The current study used archival data derived from a sample of adolescents in addiction treatment programs or juvenile detention centers who were evaluated for disruptive behavior disorders and co-occurring conditions using a structured diagnostic interview (Practical Adolescent Dual Diagnosis Interview, Estroff & Hoffmann, 2000). Participants in this sample include 571 adolescents (445 males and 71 females) from juvenile justice settings and 338 adolescents (126 males and 262 females) from addiction treatment programs. Due to differences between the juvenile justice and addiction treatment populations, all analyses were conducted separately by

The purpose of the current study is to examine the association between the higher-order scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition, Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) and the DSM-oriented scales of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA), Adult Self-Report with physical child abuse potential, as measured by the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAP). Abuse and neglect has been shown to have serious and long-lasting negative effects on children’s mental health. Current research has identified a variety of predictors of child abuse potential. However, no previous studies could be found that have examined the correlation between scores on the MMPI-2-RF and the ASEBA with child abuse potential. The participants were 177 parents and caregivers who were court-ordered by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services to receive a psychiatric evaluation in north Atlanta. Results show that males and females significantly differed on several of the predictor variables, and CAP scores were significantly correlated with all of the variables except the Drug and Alcohol Use Scales. The results of a multiple regression analysis indicate that the overall model did significantly predict CAP score [F(10,61) = 27.50, p < .001] with an R2 of .844. However, only Depressive Problems (Beta = .300, p < .05) and Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction (Beta = .620, p < .001) were significantly predictive of child abuse potential. Findings of this study suggest that depression and other emotional disorders could be used as a “red flag” when assessing child abuse potential. In addition, it may be that internalizing disorders such as depression may be more predictive of child abuse potential than externalizing disorders (e.g., substance use).

This thesis examined the relationship between scores on the Child Abuse Potential Inventory and scores on MMPI-2-RF Scales in a clinical setting. The issue of child abuse, whether that is verbal abuse, emotional abuse, or physical abuse, has been the focus of a significant amount of research in the past. Research shows that there are specific risk factors that could increase the chances that a parent or caregiver will be an abuser. Many tests have sought to measure the potential risk of physical child abuse, with the most prominently used being the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAP). The CAP provides an accurate prediction of predispositions to child abuse in the potential abuser. As recently as 1993, new developments in the area of personality inventory were reached with the MMPI-2-RF. The sample included parents and caregivers who were referred for evaluation to the Psychological and Counseling Center of Cartersville, GA and had their children removed from the home by the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS). Scores on the MMPI-2-RF Scales were compared to scores on the CAP overall Abuse scale, psychological difficulties subscales, and interactional problems subscales. The MMPI-2-RF Higher-Order scale of Emotional Internalizing Dysfunction (EID) proved to be a significant predictor of potential physical child abuse as measured by the overall CAP Abuse scale. Results show significant correlations with scores on the CAP Abuse Scale and many of the higher order classifications, the restructured clincal scales, the specific problems scales, and the personality psychopathology five scales of the MMPI-2-RF, primarily those related to emotional distress and internalizing difficulties.

Childhood trauma experiences (sexual abuse, physical abuse, witnessed violence, and early separation experiences) and family environment characteristics were assessed via questionnaire from a sample of depressed borderline (N=17) and depressed nonborderline (N=19) female inpatients. Significantly more borderline individuals than nonborderlines gave histories of sexual abuse (76%) and physical abuse (93%) and these traumatic experiences were more severe in nature as demonstrated by significantly greater composite scores. While the presence of witnessed violence did not differentiate the two groups, borderline individuals witnessed violence more frequently than nonborderline individuals if there was violence in the home. Early separation experiences were relatively common in both groups suggesting that these experiences may be associated with both BPD and depression. The BPD group was also distinctive on family environment measures, evidencing significantly less family cohesiveness and expressiveness and significantly more conflict and control. The two groups were similar on indices of current stressors, typically associated with onset of depression, providing more support for the role of childhood trauma in the etiology of BPD.