The development of empathy in child maltreatment contexts. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berzenski, Sara R.; Yates, Tuppett M.
• Is Part Of: Child abuse & neglect. Volume 133(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Child maltreatment -- Empathy -- Attachment representation; Child abuse -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105827
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-2134

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Despite robust associations between child maltreatment experiences and emotional development, a paucity of research examines the influence of child maltreatment on empathy development, and still fewer studies differentiate these effects across maltreatment subtypes. Objective: The present study examined the development of children's empathy from ages six to eight, as predicted by maltreatment, and as moderated by children's attachment representations. Participants and setting: Participants were a community sample of 250 children followed longitudinally and assessed in a laboratory setting with their primary caregivers. Method: Child maltreatment experiences from birth to age six were assessed by semi-structured interviews with caregivers, which were rated according to widely-used child maltreatment coding protocols, and by caregiver and child self-report measures. Child empathy was assessed at ages six and eight by caregiver-report. Attachment representations were observed in children using the MacArthur Story Stem Battery. Results: Child emotional abuse ( β = −0.150, p = .012) and child neglect ( β = −0.137, p = .016) predicted decreased empathy at age eight, whereas child physical abuse ( β = 0.132, p = .027) and child exposure to domestic violence ( β = 0.164, p = .004) predicted increased empathy at age eight. Further, children's negative representations of mother figures moderated the positive association between child physical abuse and empathy ( β = −0.177, p = .005), such that the association became weaker as negative representations increased. Conclusions: These results highlight the nuanced ways in which child maltreatment experiences of different subtypes contribute to the development of empathy in school-aged children.