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Contents
- Abstract
- INTRODUCTION
- Maltreatment and Memory
- Age Differences in Children’s Memory and Suggestibility
- OVERVIEW, DESIGN, AND HYPOTHESES
- METHOD
- Participants and Sample Description
- Materials
- Sample Description Form
- Stanford–Binet Intelligence Test
- Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)
- Memory Interview
- Free Recall
- Detailed Questions
- Affect Questions
- Photo Identification
- Procedure
- Session 1
- Session 2
- RESULTS
- Preliminary Analyses
- Free Recall
- Detailed Questions
- Specific Questions
- Misleading Questions
- Abuse-Related Questions
- Photo Identification
- Analyses Covarying IQ and CBCL Scores
- Abuse Severity, Memory, and Suggestibility
- Affect Questions
- DISCUSSION
- Maltreatment, Memory, and Suggestibility
- Effects of Age and Gender on Memory and Suggestibility
- Issues of Ecological Validity and Generalizability
- Future Directions
- Appendix A
Figures and Tables
Abstract
Relations between child maltreatment and children’s eyewitness memory were examined. A matched sample of abused and nonabused 3- to 10-year-old children (n = 70) participated in a play session with an unfamiliar adult and were interviewed about the interaction 2 weeks later. Consistent with results from previous research, older compared to younger children’s reports were more complete and accurate. Abused and nonabused children performed similarly with several exceptions: Nonabused children were more accurate in answering specific questions, made fewer errors in identifying the unfamiliar adult in a photo identification task, and (at least for younger boys) freely recalled more information. Most effects remained when group differences in IQ and behavioral symptomology were statistically controlled. Importantly, abused and nonabused children did not differ in their accuracy or suggestibility in response to questions that were relevant to abusive actions. Among abused children, however, those who suffered more severe sexual abuse made more omission errors to specific abuse-relevant questions. Contributions to psychological theory and legal implications for understanding children’s eyewitness memory and testimony are discussed.
INTRODUCTION
Child abuse is a significant societal problem, particularly in light of its prevalence and potentially damaging effects. The best estimates indicate that at least one in 5 girls and one in 10 or more boys will experience a sexual assault before their 18th birthday (Finkelhor, 1979, 1984). An even larger number of children will experience physical abuse (Finkelhor & Dziuba-Leatherman, 1994). Many child abuse cases go undisclosed and unreported. If discovered, legal and social service investigations of...