Dissociation in middle childhood among foster children with early maltreatment experiences

Abstract

Objective-This study examined levels of dissociation in school-aged foster children who had been maltreated before age 5.Method-Data were collected from 118 children (age in years: M = 9.34, SD = 1.02) and their caregivers. Chi-Square and ANOVA were used to compare foster children (n = 67) to community comparison children (n = 51). Regression analyses examined predictors of dissociation for the foster children.Results-The foster children showed significantly higher levels of dissociation than the control children. Within the foster care group, number of placement transitions, female gender, and maltreatment subtype significantly predicted dissociation. Conclusions-The foster children were more dissociative than the control children. The finding that children who had experienced all types of abuse and who had experienced physical abuse with emotional maltreatment and neglect showed the highest levels of dissociation is consistent with findings from previous research.Practice implications-The findings from this study suggest that maltreated girls and children with specific maltreatment profiles are at increased risk for dissociation. Further, as number of foster placements appears to contribute to dissociation, child welfare professionals should consider this factor during placement transitions.

Dissociative Symptoms and Academic Functioning in Maltreated Children: A Preliminary Study

“…Another limitation is that despite the high-risk nature of the sample, few children (9%) self-reported dissociative symptoms in the borderline or clinical range. This is in contrast to previous studies that have found rates of dissociation ranging from 17%-21% in maltreated samples (Hulette et al, 2011; Macfie et al, 2001; Putnam, 1996). The low level of clinical severity in dissociation scores may limit generalizability to other maltreated samples and may have attenuated the present findings.…”

“…Maltreatment is also associated with mental health problems, such as dissociation, that may impair AF (Hulette, Freyd, & Fisher, 2011; Macfie, Cicchetti, & Toth, 2001). Dissociation is defined as “a disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment” (APA, 2000, p.519).…”

Dissociative Symptoms Over a Year in a Sample of Sexually Abused Children

“…Furthermore, this study revealed that characteristics of the traumatic event experienced-duration, severity, and relationship with the abuser-were predictors of the future intensity of dissociative symptoms displayed by the child. A recent study of 118 children ages 7 to 12 found that early maltreated children continue to be highly dissociative years after the abuse experiences (Hulette, Freyd, & Fisher, 2011). A longitudinal study of 78 children ages 3 to 5 found that at follow-up (1 year later), maltreated children showed a significant increase in dissociation levels compared to nonmaltreated children (Macfie et al, 2001a).…”

Psychosocial Adaptation of Young Victims of Physical Neglect

“…Along the same lines, different studies show the negative effects of neglect on the personal adaptation of children. Such effects include low self‐esteem, the concept that one has of self and the representation of self; and the maladjustment is greater in adolescents (Bravo and Del Valle, ; Cui et al ., ; Hulette et al, ).…”