TITLE: The
Relevance of Narrative Research With Children Who Witness War and Children Who
Witness Woman Abuse.
AUTHOR: Berman,
H.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Journal
of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: University
of Western Ontario, London (Canada). School of Nursing.
SOURCE: 3(1):
pp. 107-125; Haworth Press, Inc.,
Binghamton, NY., 2000; p. 253
ABSTRACT: This
article highlights findings from a recent critical narrative study comparing
the experiences of children of war and children exposed to domestic violence.
The sample consisted of 15 children of war and 16 children of battered women,
ages 10-17. Although both groups of children reported similar symptoms of
trauma, such as loneliness, problems eating and sleeping, headaches and intrusive
thoughts and fears, their perceptions of their experiences were significantly
different. The children of war had fond memories of
their life before the war and viewed the war as a temporary situation. The
children who witnessed domestic violence often were unable to identify periods
of happiness and contentment in their life. Children of warwere clear that they
were on the right side of a conflict between good and bad, while children
exposed to spouse abuse could not take sides in their conflict. The relevance
of narrative research with this population is discussed and implications for
researchers and clinicians are presented. 55 references. (Author abstract
modified)
KEY TERMS: research
methodology; child witnesses of family
violence; trauma; community violence; child abuse research; qualitative research; posttraumatic stress disorder; sequelae
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com
TITLE: Parents
With Mental Retardation.
INST. AUTHOR: Virginia
Commonwealth Dept. of Social Services, Richmond. Child Protective Services
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Virginia
Child Protection Newsletter
SOURCE: 57: pp.
1-11, 13; Virginia Commonwealth Dept.
of Social Services, Richmond. Child Protective Services Unit., Winter
2000; p. 271
ABSTRACT: This
briefing examines the factors that place the children of mentally retarded
parents at risk for maltreatment. Although estimates of the incidence of child
abuse and neglect are difficult to calculate, studies have identified eight
problems that influence the ability of parents with mental retardation to
provide adequate care to their children: lack of reading skills; communication
problems; concrete thinking; limited ability to provide cognitive and emotional
stimulation; impairments in learning and memory; social
skills deficits; and lack of internal control and motivational problems.
Parents with mental retardation also have low incomes, inadequate housing, and
poor health, and are vulnerable to crime and exploitation. The children of
parents with mental retardation have been found to be developmentally delayed
as a result of environmental and parent characteristics, as well as limited
socialization. However, some intensive parent training programs have been
proven to improve the skills of parents with mental retardation. Effective
interventions are usually family-centered, long-term, are tailored to the
special learning needs of the participants, and engage parents in their
communities. Policy makers are advised to recognize the need for long-term
support and emphasize the positive characteristics of the parents. Examples of
innovative programs are described in the newsletter. Numerous references.
KEY TERMS: retarded
parents; parenting skills; incidence;
risk factors; sequelae; research reviews; adults abused as children;
intervention strategies
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Special Issue
TITLE: Assessing
the Value of Structured Protocols for Forensic Interviews of Alleged Child Abuse
AUTHOR: Orbach,
Y.; Hershkowitz, I.; Lamb, M. E.; Sternberg, K. J.; et al.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Child
Abuse and Neglect
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development (DHHS), Bethesda, MD.
SOURCE: 24(6):
pp. 733-752; Elsevier Science, Ltd.,
New York, NY., June 2000; p. 273
ABSTRACT: This
study evaluated the effectiveness of the National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development Investigative Interview Protocol, a structured protocol of
universally recommended guidelines for forensic interviews. The protocol was
designed to maximize the amount of information obtained using recall memory probes, which are likely to elicit more accurate
information than recognition memory probes.
Forensic investigators were trained to use the protocol while conducting
feedback-monitored simulation interviews. The utility of the protocol was then
evaluated by comparing 55 protocol interviews with 50 prior interviews by the
same investigators, matched with respect to characteristics likely to affect
the richness of the children's accounts. The comparison was based on an
analysis of the investigators' utterance types, distribution, and timing, as
well as quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the information
produced. As predicted, protocol interviews containedmore open-ended prompts
overall as well as before the first option-posing utterance than non-protocol
interviews did. More details were obtained using open-ended invitations and
fewer were obtained using focused questions in protocol interviews than in
non-protocol interviews, although the total number of details elicited did not
differ significantly. In both conditions, older children provided more details
than younger children did. The findings confirmed that implementation of
professionally recommended practices affected the behavior of interviewers in
both the pre-substantive and substantive phases of their interviews and
enhanced the quality (i.e., likely accuracy) of information elicited from
alleged victims. 101 references and 6 tables.(Author abstract)
KEY TERMS: interviews; investigations; child witnesses;
protocols; validity; sexual abuse; measures
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: Counselling
Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse.
AUTHOR: Draucker,
C. B.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Kent
State Univ., OH. Coll. of Nursing.
SOURCE: Second
Edition. Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA., 2000; p. 292
ABSTRACT: This
book describes strategies for counseling adult survivors of childhood sexual
abuse and helping them through the healing process. Emphasis is placed on the
importance of disclosure, analysis of the abuse experience, reinterpreting the
abuse, understanding the context of the abuse, making life changes, and coping
with the resolution of the abuse. The text describes issues and intervention
approaches for a wide range of types of sexual abuse. Case studies illustrate
the concepts presented throughout the book. The implications of the false memory debate for counseling are also discussed. Numerous
references.
KEY TERMS: adults
abused as children; sexual abuse; therapeutic intervention; individual therapy; group therapy; false memory syndrome; disclosure; counseling
PUBLICATION TYPE: Book
INTERNET URL: http://www.sagepub.com/
TITLE: The
Abused Child as Parent: The Structure and Content of Physically Abused Mothers'
Perceptions of Their Babies.
AUTHOR: Gara, M.
A.; Allen, L. A.; Herzog, E. P.; Woolfolk, R. L.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Child
Abuse and Neglect
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: New
Jersey Univ. of Medicine and Dentistry, Piscataway. Dept. of Psychiatry.
SOURCE: 24(5):
pp. 627-639; Elsevier Science Ltd., New
York, NY., May 2000; p. 355
ABSTRACT: Does
a mother's history of being physically abused as a child have a discernable
impact on the structure and content of her perceptions and beliefs concerning
her own child? This study attempted to provide an empirical answer. The
studycontacted 185 as potential participants in the longitudinal study; 103
agreed to participate. They were classified as abused' or not-abused' based on
their responses to a standard questionnaire. The methodology involved
free-response memories and current description of babies, self,
and significant others such as parents, when their babies were six months, one
year, and two years old. The two groups were compared with respect to the age
of baby, race, and socioeconomic status. Results showed thatabused mothers were
found to differ significantly from control mothers in the structure and content
of their free-response perceptions of their own babies. Specifically, abused
mothers lagged behind controls in how well differentiated were their negative
perceptions of their babies. Conversely, abused mothers were comparable to
controls with respect to differentiation of positive perceptions of babies. The
authors assert that the findings constitute a discovery about the structural
organization of social cognition in mothers at risk for child abuse. Five
figures; 27 references. (Author abstract modified.)
KEY TERMS: child
abuse history; abusive parents; children at risk; longitudinal studies;
perceptions; data
collection; data analysis; social cognition
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: Childhood
History of Abuse and Child Abuse Potential in Adolescent Mothers: A
Longitudinal
AUTHOR: De Paul,
J.; Domenech, L.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Child
Abuse and Neglect
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Basque
Univ., San Sebastian (Spain). Dept. of Psychology.
SOURCE: 24(5):
pp. 701-713; Elsevier Science Ltd., New
York, NY., May 2000; p. 360
ABSTRACT: The
authors describe a longitudinal study to determine whether adolescent mothers
of newborns are at higher risk for child abuse than adult mothers of newborns.
The study also examined whether adolescent mothers with memories of child abuse and/or memories
of childhood emotional withdrawal have a higher risk for child abuse. The
sample consisted of 48 mothers--24 adolescents and 24 adults--from Spain whose
participation started in the 5th to 7th month of their pregnancy and continued
until the child was 18 months old. During pregnancy, memories of child abuse were evaluated. Risk for child abuse was
evaluated when the child was one month, six months, 12 months, and 18 months
old. Results showed that while adolescent and adult mothersshowed no
differences in memories of childhood physical or emotional abuse,
adolescent mothers showed higher child abuse potential and depression scores
than adult mothers. Mothers with memories of
severe physical punishment showed higher child abuse potential scores and
mothers with memories of physical punishment producing physical
damage showed higher child abuse potential and depression scores. A
statistically significant age of the mother by physical punishment producing
physical damage interaction was found for depression. Conclusions supported the
original predictions that the potential for abuse was significantly greater in
adolescent mothers than in adult mothers, and in mothers who had been victims
of physical abuse than in those who had not. At also appeared that, among
adolescent mothers, that those who had been victims of abuse represented a
higher risk group for child abuse. Two tables; four figures; numerous
references. (Author abstract modified.)
KEY TERMS: child
abuse history; children at risk; adolescent mothers; longitudinal studies; spain;
data collection; data
analysis; risk factors
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: Amnesia
for Summer Camps and High School Graduation: Memory
Work Increases Reports of Prior Periods of Remembering Loss.
AUTHOR: Read, J.
D.; Lindsay, D. S.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Journal
of Traumatic Stress
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Lethbridge
Univ., AL (Canada).
SOURCE: 13(1):
pp. 129-147; Kluwer Academic-Plenum
Publishers, Dordrecht (The Netherlands)., January 2000; p. 380
ABSTRACT: Claims
regarding amnesia for childhood sexual abuse have often been based on studies of
adults' responses to questions of the form, Was there ever a period of time
when you remembered less of the abuse than you do now? In this +; experiment,
43 adult participants, average age of 42 years old, rated their current and
prior memories of several nontraumatic
childhood/adolescent related events. Reports of prior periods of less memory were fairly common. Participants then engaged in +;
reminiscence or enhanced retrieval activities directed toward remembering more
about a selected target event. Following retrieval, 35 percent of the
reminiscence condition participants reported prior poor memory for the target event, as did 70 percent of+; the enhanced
condition. These results highlight the need for appropriate control conditions
in retrospective studies of amnesia for childhood trauma. 49 references, 1
figure, and 1 table. (Author abstract)
KEY TERMS: memory; adults abused as
children; repression; research methodology; trauma;
amnesia; child abuse
research; individual therapy
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
INTERNET URL: http://www.wkap.nl
TITLE: Questioning
the Child Witness: What Can We Conclude From the Research Thus Far?
AUTHOR: Quas, J.
A.; Goodman, G. S.; Ghetti, S.;
Redlich, A. D.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Trauma,
Violence, and Abuse
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: California
Univ., Irvine. Dept. of Psychology and Social Behavior.
SOURCE: 1(3):
pp. 223-249; Sage Publications Inc.,
Thousand Oaks, CA., July 2000; p. 461
ABSTRACT: In
recent years increasing numbers of studies have investigated children's memory, suggestibility, and false event reports. This article
highlights key findings from and implications of this research for interviewing
child witnesses. First, developmental changes in children s memory and suggestibility are discussed, spanning from the early
childhood years through middle childhood, suggesting that the most consistent
and robust predictor of differences in children's performance is age. Second,
theory and research concerning relations between emotional distress and
children's memory are reviewed, with an emphasis on
methodological differences that have led to varied results across studies and
sheds light on the degree to which emotional distress helps versus hinders
children ' memory and suggestibility. Third is a
description of factors associated with the context of an interview that may
influence children's susceptibility to false suggestions, in particular
discussing the implications of questioning tactics and contextual features of
forensic interviews. Fourth, recent studies are discussed concerning individual
differences in children's mnemonic capabilities, suggestibility, and false memories. Finally, recommendations are provided about what can and
cannot be concluded from research on questioning child witnesses, with an eye
on aiding professionals in understanding the research and its capabilities and
limitations. Numerous references. (Author abstract modified.)
KEY TERMS: child
witnesses; research; false allegations; memory;
suggestibility; stress; risk factors; literature review
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
INTERNET URL: http://www.sagepub.com/
TITLE: Sympathy
for the Devil: False Memories, the Media, and the Mind Controllers. The
Afterword to Secret Survivors.
AUTHOR: Blume,
E. S.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Treating
Abuse Today
SOURCE: 9(3):
pp. 8-39; Survivors and Victims
Empowered, Lancaster, PA., 2000; p. 492
ABSTRACT: This
article takes a decidedly political approach to the issues surrounding false memory syndrome. The author, a proponent of the validity of
survivors' repression of traumatic events, had published a book about the topic
ten years earlier; this article is a rebuttal to critics of the book and a
counterpoint to opponents who have attempted to discredit the theory. The
arguments are described as not an academic debate between two well-meaning
groups equally invested in ascertaining truth, but rather as a political fight
between a group of people who are threatened by disclosures of sexual abuse and
a group of well-meaning, ill-organized, underfinanced and often naive academics
who expected fair play in the debate. The author accuses critics of false memory syndrome, termed backlashers or simply lashers, of
perpetuating a big lie and engaging in a campaign of harassment, fear, and
character assassination against trauma clinicians. The article describes
tactics used by these groups and concludes with a personal attack against one
particular (unnamed) lasher, accusing the person of advocating pedophilia and
incest. The author insists that these views are not typical of just the fringe
elements of the backlash movement.
KEY TERMS: false
memory syndrome; sexual abuse;
incest; ritual abuse; mass
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: Sexual
Abuse Litigation: A Practical Resource for Attorneys, Clinicians, and
Advocates.
AUTHOR: Rix, R.
(Editor)
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
SOURCE: Haworth
Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY., 2000; p.
607
ABSTRACT: The
articles in this reference provide an overview of considerations in the legal
representation of adults who were sexually abused in childhood. The majority of
the text focuses on lawsuits filed by adults who have repressed memories of abuse. Chapters present a history of trauma research
and delayed discovery statutes and review sexual abuse litigation, the
admissibility of scientific evidence regarding delayed memories, and accessing insurance for payment of damages. The role
of expert witnesses and the importance of collaboration with clinicians are
also described. Appendices include a state by state analysis of requirements
regarding statutes of limitations in cases of child sexual abuse; questions for
plaintiff forensic experts; and selections of the testimony of Elizabeth
Loftus, PhD about memory and suggestibility.
KEY TERMS: sexual
abuse; lawsuits; adults abused as children; lawyers responsibility; memory; expert witnesses; false memory syndrome; evidence presentation
PUBLICATION TYPE: Book
INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com
TITLE: Grandparent
Education.
AUTHOR: Chenoweth,
L.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Texas
Women's Univ., Denton. Dept. of Family Sciences.
SOURCE: In:
Hayslip, B.; Goldberg-Glen, R. (Editors). Grandparents Raising Grandchildren:
Theoretical, Empirical and Clinical Perspectives. Springer Publishing Co.,
Inc., New York, NY., 2000; p. 630
ABSTRACT: Grandparents
usually model their behavior on their childhood memories of their own grandparents. However, grandparents who are
thrust into the custodial, primary caregiver role, have no such preparation or
example for their new position. Custodial grandparents need support and
education to cope with the special challenges of their children and
grandchildren and to improve their attitudes about the situation. Effective
grandparent education programs should be strength-based, culturally responsive,
and focused on support. Elements may include needs assessment, a targeted
audience, and programs about self-care, communication, guidance, and advocacy.
Information can be disseminated through small groups, at home, in the print
media, and on the Internet. 47 references.
KEY TERMS: kinship
care; grandparents; parent education; program models; parental
role; cultural competency; needs assessment; service delivery
PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter
in Book
INTERNET URL: http://www.springerpub.com
TITLE: Loss
and Grief in Adoption: The Impact of Contact.
AUTHOR: Courtney,
A.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Adoption
and Fostering
SOURCE: 24(2):
pp. 33-44; British Agencies for
Adoption and Fostering, London (United Kingdom)., 2000; p. 732
ABSTRACT: Adopted
children experience the loss of significant attachment relationships, based on
the internal working models of their parents that were formed from birth. Their
memories of their relationship with their parents
can strongly affectthem throughout childhood. This article suggests that before
children can move on to the next stage of mourning their losses, those original
models have to be understood. One method for resolving the birth parent-child
relationship is to incorporate thebirth parent in some way into the daily life
and relationships of the child after he or she is adopted. The likely effect of
contact is discussed in the article, as is the role of the adoptive parent and
possible therapeutic intervention. 45 references.(Author abstract)
KEY TERMS: attachment; adjustment problems; post adoption contact; birth families; visitation; loss; therapeutic intervention; sequelae
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
INTERNET URL: http://www.baaf.org.uk
TITLE: Child
Characteristics Which Impact Accuracy of Recall and Suggestibility in Preschoolers:
Is Age the Best Predictor?
AUTHOR: Geddie,
L.; Fradin, S.; Beer, J.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Child
Abuse and Neglect
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: East
Carolina Univ., Greenville, NC. Dept. of Psychology.
SOURCE: 24(2):
pp. 223-235; Elsevier Science Ltd, New
York, NY., February 2000
ABSTRACT: This
study determined whether individual difference factors of metamemory,
intelligence, and temperament can improve the ability to predict accuracy of
recall and suggestibility in preschoolers. Fifty-six children ranging in age
from 43 months to 83 months were recruited from 13 child care centers in a
rural southwestern town. Children participated in a circus day event conducted
by 2 female undergraduate psychology students dressed as clowns. About 10 days
after the event, children were interviewed regarding their experiences.
Bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed in order
to determine which factors were related and unique contributors to accuracy of memory and suggestibility. Of principal importance is the finding
that child characteristics such as metamemory ability, intellectual
functioning, and temperament may indeed be helpful in determining a child's
capacity to accurately recall information in an interview, although for the
most part age is the best predictor. Findings also underscore the importance of
considering a child's socioeconomic status and race when planning and
conducting interviews with young children. Possible explanations for these findings
as well as implications for future research and clinical application are
discussed. 2 tables and numerous references. (Author abstract modified)
KEY TERMS: preschool
children; memory;
suggestibility; individual
characteristics; predictor variables; interviews;
intelligence
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: Texture
Response Patterns Associated With Sexual Trauma of Childhood and Adult Onset:
Developmental and Recovered Memory Implications.
AUTHOR: Leavitt,
F.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Child
Abuse and Neglect
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Rush
Medical Coll., Chicago, IL. Dept. of Psychology.
SOURCE: 24(2):
pp. 251-257; Elsevier Science Ltd, New
York, NY., February 2000
ABSTRACT: Reduced
texture sensitivity on the Rorschach is proposed as a sequela of early sexual
abuse that is unlikely to be contaminated by situational variables. If this
conceptualization has merit, texture attributes offer a roadmap for studying
vying claims in the recovered memory debate.
To explore this possibility, the authors of this study examined the extent to
which intense preoccupation with sexual trauma of childhood and of adult onset
was related to reduced texture productivity. Texture productivity was measured in
4 groups comprised of 108 patients using the Rorschach. Twenty-seven patients
with recovered memory were compared with 27 patients with
continuous memory of childhood sexual trauma, 27 post
trauma stress patients with sexual trauma of adult onset, and 27 non-abused
patients. The study replicated previous findings of reduced texture
productivity among patients who always remembered sexual trauma of
childhood-onset. The same texture deficiency pattern was observed among
patients who recovered memory of childhood sexual abuse. This pattern
was not observed in post-traumatic stress disorder patients intensely
preoccupied with sexual trauma of adult onset despite the fact that they
mimicked the recovered memory group in respect to enduring
preoccupation with distressing thoughts of sexual abuse. The findings indicate
that intrusive memories of sexual trauma do not shape patients'
response to textural cues on the Rorschach. Variations in texture productivity
are primarily moderated by age of trauma onset. Dismissal of claims of
recovered memories on the intense sexual preoccupation is
not warranted. 2 tables and numerous references. (Author abstract modified)
KEY TERMS: sexual
abuse; posttraumatic stress
disorder; memory; trauma; sequelae
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: Adult
Survivors of Sexual Abuse.
AUTHOR: Gold, S.
N.; Brown, L. S.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Nova
Southeastern Univ., Fort Lauderdale, FL. Trauma Resolution Integration Program.
SOURCE: In:
Ammerman, R. T.; Hersen, M. (Editors). Assessment of Family Violence: A
Clinical and Legal Sourcebook, Second Edition. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA.,
1999; p. 181
ABSTRACT: This
chapter provides an introduction to considerations for assessing adult
survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Evaluators are cautioned that the
assessment of this population requires extensive specialized knowledge about
psychological trauma, interpersonal violence and abuse, posttraumatic stress,
and dissociative symptomatology. The chapter reviews general aspects of
assessment of adult survivors, including establishing rapport and maintaining
conceptual clarity. Strategies for assessing current difficulties,
dysfunctional coping strategies, abuse history, the context of the childhood
sexual abuse, and the strengths and resources of survivors are also discussed.
In addition to these areas addressed by clinical assessors, forensic evaluators
must also investigate groups for civil liability and the reliability of the survivor's
testimony. They must find evidence to confirm or refute the survivor's report
from reports of covictims, autobiographical material by the survivor during the
time of the abuse, school and childhood medical records, reports of peers of
the survivor, and sexual history of the alleged perpetrator. Sources of
possible contamination of the survivor's memory must
also be identified, including the circumstances of delayed recall. A case study
is presented in the chapter to illustrate assessment issues.
KEY TERMS: adults
abused as children; sexual abuse; assessment;
measures; sequelae; child abuse history; forensic psychiatry; legal processes
PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter
in Book
INTERNET URL: http://www.josseybass.com
TITLE: Memories of Childhood Abuse: Dissociation, Amnesia, and
Corroboration.
AUTHOR: Chu, J.
A.; Frey, L. M.; Ganzel, B. L.; Matthews, J. A.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999
JOURNAL TITLE: American
Journal of Psychiatry
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: McLean
Hospital, Belmont, MA. Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Program.