Developmental Pathways Into and Out of Risk Among Maltreated Children

Project Title:	Developmental Pathways Into and Out of Risk Among Maltreated Children
Grant/Contract Number:	90CA1632
Type of Project:	Research
Funding Agency:	Office on Child Abuse and Neglect
Agency Contact Person:	Sally M. Flanzer, Ph.D. (202) 205-8914
Principal Investigator:	Kerry Bolger
Mailing Address:	Department of Psychology University of Miami 5665 Poncede Leon Blvd. Coral Gables, FL 33146
Total Project Duration:	9/30/97 to 9/30/00
FY 98 Total Costs:	$62,350
Total Project Budget:	$173,051
Child Maltreatment Focus:	Primary
Type of Abuse:	Physical, Emotional, Sexual, Neglect; Undifferentiated
Sample Size:	1,920
Age of Subjects:	8-10 years old
Child Abuse and Neglect Focus of This Project:	Origins and Consequences
Summary

This study consists of secondary analyses of data from the Charlottesville Longitudinal Study (CLS), a study of risk and resilience among a sample of elementary and middle school-age children. The goal is to document the processes that lead to heightened or reduced risk for developmental difficulties among maltreated children. The study will consist of three interrelated research projects. The first analysis will examine whether maltreated children show impairments and atypically in their friendships and whether participation in friendships enhances the social competence of maltreated children. The second analysis will investigate the links between maltreatment and the lack of acceptance by peers. The third analysis will examine connections between maltreatment and low academic achievement. The type of maltreatment, severity, chronicity, frequency, and age at onset will be assessed in each of the three projects. In the CLS, three groups of children initially in the second, third, and fourth grades were evaluated from 1986 to 1989. Of the participating children, 107 children identified as abused and neglected will be included in the study. Data analyses will be conducted by using growth curve modeling to examine the impact of maltreatment on children and its effect on their social adjustment.