Comparison of ego defenses among physically abused children, neglected, and non-maltreated children

The nature and level of ego functioning were assessed in 41 recently detected physically abused children, and in two control groups of 38 neglected and 35 non-abused/non-neglected children (aged 6 to 12 years), using the Child Suicidal Potential Scales (CSPS). The results obtained in this study supp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Comprehensive psychiatry 2003-09, Vol.44 (5), p.388-395
Main Authors: Finzi, Ricky, Har-Even, Dov, Weizman, Abraham
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Case-Control Studies
Child
Child Abuse - psychology
Children & youth
Defense Mechanisms
Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders - diagnosis
Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders - psychology
Ego
Female
Humans
Hypotheses
Interview, Psychological
Male
Medical sciences
Mood Disorders - diagnosis
Mood Disorders - psychology
Multivariate Analysis
Parents & parenting
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Reality Testing
Surveys and Questionnaires
Victimology
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Summary:The nature and level of ego functioning were assessed in 41 recently detected physically abused children, and in two control groups of 38 neglected and 35 non-abused/non-neglected children (aged 6 to 12 years), using the Child Suicidal Potential Scales (CSPS). The results obtained in this study support the hypothesis that the influences of parental violence on the child’s ego functions are detrimental, as reflected by significantly higher impairments in affect regulation (like irritability, anger, passivity, depression), low levels of impulse control, distortions in reality testing, and extensive operation of immature defense mechanisms in the physically abused children in comparison to the controls. Significant differences between the physically abused and the non-abused/non-neglected children were found for all mechanisms except displacement. The differences between the physically abused and neglected children for regression, denial and splitting, projection, and introjection (high scores for the physically abused children), and for compensation and undoing (higher scores for the neglected children) were also significant. It is suggested that physically abused children should be distinguished as a high-risk population for future personality disorders.
ISSN:0010-440X
1532-8384
DOI:10.1016/S0010-440X(03)00106-8