Profiles of Adaptation Among Child Victims of Suspected Maltreatment
Abstract
This research seeks to identify profiles of adaptation among child victims of suspected maltreatment using a social-ecological framework. Data were drawn from the LONGSCAN multisite longitudinal study. Participants were 597 12-year-old children of diverse backgrounds (57% girls) with at least one Child Protective Services report of suspected maltreatment (M = 3.4 reports). Self-, caregiver-, and teacher-reports were collected to assess child competence, psychological and behavioral problems, and family and neighborhood characteristics. Latent Profile Analysis was used to classify individuals into empirically derived groups. The best-fitting model yielded five distinct profiles: consistent resilience; consistent maladaptation; posttraumatic stress problems; school maladaptation, family protection; and low socialization skills. Findings underscore the heterogeneity of child adaptation and reveal unique profiles of adaptation and contextual protection. Within-person variation in functioning suggests the need for comprehensive assessment across domains and contexts to address the clinical needs of maltreated youth.
Publication Title
Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Recommended Citation
Martinez-Torteya, C., Miller-Graff, L., Howell, K., & Figge, C. (2017). Profiles of Adaptation Among Child Victims of Suspected Maltreatment. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 46 (6), 840-847. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2015.1072822
