Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part G (2017)

Abstract
The developmental consequences of child maltreatment deserve empirical inquiry. Thirty-two maltreated (abused and/or neglected) children (M = 18.4 months of age) were observed with their biological or foster mothers in a laboratory procedure designed to allow assessment of the security of infant-adult attachment. They were compared with 32 children and no maltreating mothers matched on sex, age, ethnic background, parental occupation, and parental education. Maltreatment by the mothers was associated with a marked increase in the number of insecure, particularly insecure-avoidant relationships, even toward foster mothers, but especially toward the maltreating biological mothers. By contrast, maltreatment by someone other than the mothers appeared not to affect the security of attachment between infants and mother-figures