Abstract

BENAVENTE, Renata; JUSTO, João  and  VERISSIMO, Manuela. Os efeitos dos maus-tratos e da negligência sobre as representações da vinculação em crianças de idade pré-escolar. Aná. Psicológica [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.1, pp.21-31. ISSN 0870-8231.

This study assessed the influence of maltreatment or neglect during childhood on preschoolers’ (3 to 6 years of age) attachment representations. The second goal of this article was to explore the relation between child’s gender and attachment representations. The role of a non-abusive relationship with an alternative caregiver (minimizing the effects of maltreatment or neglect) in the child’s attachment system was also investigated. Maltreated children (N=20) and neglect children (N=40) were recruited from Portuguese Child Protective Services (CYPC). The non-maltreated and non-neglected children (n=30) were recruited from a Private Preschool Institution (they attend Kindergarten or Leisure Activities). Groups were similar in Socio-Economic Status (SES), age, gender and verbal abilities. Abuse status was assessed with an adapted version of the Maltreatment and Neglect Questionnaire (Calheiros, 1996). Verbal abilities of children were assessed with the “Hearing and Language” Scale of the Griffiths scales of mental development (Griffiths, 1970). Attachment representations were assessed with the Attachment Story Completion Task (ASCT; Bretherton, Ridgeway, & Cassidy, 1990). The stories were coded according to Miljkovitch, Pierrehumbert, Karmaniola, and Halfon (2003) Q-score methodology. Results show that maltreat or neglected preschool children have more insecure (deactivation or hyperactivation) and disorganized attachment representations, and less secure strategies when compared to controls. No differences in attachment representations were found as a function of the child’s gender or as a function of the existence of relationship with a non maltreating or non neglectful adult. Results are discussed in terms of Attachment Theory and future investigation proposals are made.

Keywords : Attachment; Maltreatment; Neglect.

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