Cited by 124Child Abuse and TraumaChild Welfare and AdoptionPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

Relational interventions for child maltreatment: Past, present and future perspectives

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Toth, Sheree L., Gravener-Davis, Julie A., Guild, Danielle J., Cicchetti, Dante·2013·Development and Psychopathology

Abstract

It is well established that child maltreatment has significant deleterious effects for the individual as well as for society. We briefly review research regarding the impact of child maltreatment on the attachment relationship, highlighting the need for relational interventions for maltreated children and their families to effectively thwart negative developmental cascades that are so often observed in the context of child maltreatment. Next, historical and contemporaneous perspectives on relational interventions for individuals with histories of child maltreatment are discussed, with attention to the empirical evidence for and the current evidence-based status of several relationally based interventions for child maltreatment. Differential sensitivity to the environment is then discussed as a theoretical framework with important implications for interventions for individuals who have been reared in maltreating environments. Current research on neurobiology and maltreatment is then reviewed, with an emphasis on the need for future investigations on genetic variants, epigenetics, and the efficacy of relational interventions for maltreated children. We conclude with a discussion of the tenets of developmental psychopathology, their implications for relational interventions for child maltreatment, and recommendations for advancing the development, provision, and evaluation of relational interventions for individuals with histories of child maltreatment.

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  • Secure attachment aids later development in areas such as affect regulation, coping, emotional and behavioral functioning, peer relations, and physiological regulation.

    “Attachment security has a critical role in supporting subsequent positive development including affect regulation, coping, emotional and behavioral functioning, peer relationships, and physiological regulation (see Shore, 2001; Toth et al., 2013 for review).”

    From Relational Interventions for Maltreated Children (2017) · cites this paper as Toth et al., 2013

  • Biobehavioral regulation is another pathway by which maltreatment causes dysfunction, and restoring children's regulatory capacity is an important indicator of treatment success.

    “Biobehavioral regulation is an additional mechanism through which child maltreatment leads to dysfunction, and the ability to restore children’s regulatory capacity is an important measure of effective treatments (Toth et al., 2013).”

    From Relational Interventions for Maltreated Children (2017) · cites this paper as Toth et al., 2013

  • Interventions that improve maternal sensitivity and attachment security are essential for breaking negative developmental cascades and fostering resilience in maltreated children.

    “Intervening to enhance components of the mother-child relationship, including maternal sensitivity and attachment security, is critical for interrupting negative developmental cascades and for promoting resilience among maltreated children (Toth et al. 2013).”

    From Relational Interventions for Maltreated Children (2017) · cites this paper as Toth et al. 2013

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Aber JL Cicchetti D Fitzgerald H Lester B Yogman M Socioemotional development in maltreated children: An empirical and theoretical analysis Theory and research in behavioral pediatrics 1984 Vol. 2 147 205 Plenum press New York
  2. Cicchetti D Toth SL Lamb M Garcia Coll C A multilevel perspective on child maltreatment Handbook of Child Psychology and Developmental Science Socioemotional process Vol. 3 Wiley New York 7th ed (in press)
  3. Crittenden PM Internal representational models of attachment relationships Infant Mental Health Journal 1990 11 259 277
  4. Mufson L Moreau D Weissman MM Klerman GL Interpersonal therapy for depressed adolescents 1993 Guilford Press New York
  5. Sroufe LA Perlmutter M Infant-caregiver attachment and patterns of adaptation in preschool: The roots of maladaptation and competence Minnesota symposium in child psychology 1983 Vol. 16 41 83 Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Hillsdale, NJ
  6. Pickreign Stronach E Toth SL Rogosch F Cicchetti D Preventive interventions and sustained attachment security in maltreated children Development and Psychopathology 25 (in press) PMC3857699 24229539

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Authors
Toth, S. L., Gravener-Davis, J. A., Guild, D. J., & Cicchetti, D.
Affiliations
  • University of Rochester (US)
  • University of Minnesota (US)
Corresponding author
Toth, Sheree L.
Venue
Development and Psychopathology
Published
2013-11
Volume
25
Issue
4pt2
Pages
1601-1617
ISSN
  • 0954-5794 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-2198
OpenAlex
W2086195548
Cited by
124
References
190
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Development and Psychopathology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH54643, R01MH054643)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA12903, DA17741, R01DA012903, R01DA017741)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
child abuse, relationship interventions, attachment, developmental cascades, epigenetics, genetic variants, developmental psychopathology, maltreated children, family intervention
MeSH terms
Child, Child Abuse, Child Development, Family Therapy, Humans, Object Attachment, Psychological Theory

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