Pathways from child maltreatment to internalizing problems: Perceptions ofcontrol as mediators and moderators

Using a prospective longitudinal design, we examined internalizing problems and perceptions of control in a community sample of 785 children, 59 of wh om had been maltreated. Children's internalizing problems and perceptions o f control were measured via self-report at annual assessments in third grad e through seventh grade (modal ages 9-13 years). Children's experiences of multiple types of maltreatment were rated based on social service records, using a standard coding system. Results of longitudinal analyses examining the roles of specific types of maltreatment (neglect, harsh parenting, and sexual abuse) revealed that neglect and sexual abuse were each associated w ith more internalizing problems, especially among children who experienced both these maltreatment types. Neglected children reported higher levels of perceived external control than other children did. Sexual abuse was assoc iated with higher levels of perceived external control, but only among chil dren who had also been neglected. Results of mediation analyses showed that higher levels of perceived external control accounted substantially for as sociations between specific maltreatment types and children's internalizing problems. Results of moderator analyses revealed that, among maltreated ch ildren, greater perceived internal control predicted fewer internalizing pr oblems, suggesting that perceived internal control functioned as a protecti ve factor. Children maltreated early in life were less likely to have this protective characteristic, Results are discussed in terms of their implicat ions for understanding the developmental consequences of specific and co-oc curring types of maltreatment.