THE IMPACT OF RELATEDNESS WITH MOTHER ON SCHOOL FUNCTIONING IN MALTREATED CHILDREN

In this prospective investigation, the role of children's relationship s with their mothers in affecting school adaptation is examined in mal treated and nonmaltreated children. Hypotheses that a secure relations hip with mother would foster positive school adaptation, while an inse cure relationship would contribute to maladaptive functioning were par tially confirmed. Nonmaltreated children who reported optimal/adequate (secure) patterns of relatedness to mother exhibited less externalizi ng symptomatology, more ego-resilience, and fewer school record risk f actors than did maltreated children who reported nonoptimal (insecure) patterns of relatedness. Within the nonmaltreated group of children, optimal/adequate patterns of relatedness exerted a positive effect on school functioning. Interestingly, for maltreated youngsters this was true only with respect to school record data. For teacher-rated extern alizing symptomatology and social acceptance, maltreated children with nonoptimal patterns of relatedness to mother evidenced more positive adaptation than did maltreated children with optimal/adequate patterns of relatedness. The possible role of defensive processing in some mal treated children is examined, as is the possible negative effect of ha ving a positive relationship with a maltreating caregiver. The presenc e of a compulsive compliant strategy also is addressed. Results are in terpreted within an attachment theory framework that emphasizes the ro le of the child's representation of the caregiver in affecting future adaptation. Implications of these findings for the importance of an in tegration between school and family in promoting school adjustment in children at risk for school failure are discussed.