Mother and teacher assessments of behavior problems in abused children

Abstract

Objective: Mother and teacher ratings of behavior problems in abused and nonabused children were compared. The extent to which ratings were related to maternal depressive symptoms was examined.

Method: The sample for this report consists of 172 elementary school-age abused children and a matched comparison group of 155 nonabused children. Maternal and teacher ratings of child behavior were obtained with the parent and teacher versions of the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. Maternal depressive symptomatology was assessed with the CES-Depression Scale.

Results: Mothers and teachers rated abused children, both boys and girls, as having greater behavior problems than nonabused children, with abused boys having more problems than abused girls. Regardless of abuse status, there were no significant differences by rater. Maternal depressive symptomatology had independent effects on maternal ratings but was not related to teacher ratings. The combination of abuse and maternal depressed mood resulted in the greatest problems for children. Both raters reported greater problems in the clinical range for abused boys than for nonabused boys. Few differences were noted between abused and nonabused girls for clinical problems.

Conclusions: Intervention strategies for abused children must address their behavioral problems and must consider the extent of depressive symptoms in the children's mothers.