Chapter 12. Trauma & Maltreatment Flashcards
Abuse narrative
A child’s account of his or her maltreatment experience that includes thoughts, feelings, and actions associated with the abuse or neglect; it is often shared with a caregiver
Acute stress disorder
A DSM-5 disorder that is similar to PTSD but has a shorter duration requirement
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study
A large, retrospective study that demonstrated an association between the number of adverse events in childhood and the likelihood of physical and mental health problems later in life
Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC)
A treatment designed to improve attachment quality between parents and young children
Bucharest Early Intervention Project (BEIP)
A longitudinal study investigating the effects of institutionalization and later adoption on orphaned children; showed that RAD is likely caused by a lack of attachment to a caregiver in infancy
Child neglect
An act or omission by a child’s parent or other caregiver that deprives the child of basic age-appropriate needs and thereby results, or has reasonable potential to result, in physical or psychological harm
Child physical abuse
Nonaccidental physical injury to a child that is inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other individual who has responsibility for the child
Child psychological abuse
Nonaccidental verbal or symbolic acts by a child’s parent or caregiver that result, or have reasonable potential to result, in significant psychological harm to the child
Child sexual abuse
Any sexual act involving a child that is intended to provide sexual gratification to a parent, caregiver, or other individual who has responsibility for a child; includes sexual contact and noncontact exploitation
Cognitive appraisal theory
A model for the development of anxiety disorders, PTSD, and mood disorders; asserts that the way people feel about situations depends on their evaluations of those situations
Cognitive restructuring
A technique used in cognitive therapy in which the therapist gently challenges the child’s maladaptive beliefs that contribute to negative emotions
Depersonalization
A dissociative symptom that involves feelings of detachment from one’s body
Derealization
A dissociative symptom that involves distorted perceptions or sense of time
Disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED)
A DSM-5 disorder shown by infants or young children who repeatedly approach and interact with unfamiliar adults in a manner that is developmentally unexpected
Emotional processing theory
Posits that emotions are organized in memory as cognitive networks consisting of a stimulus, a response, and a meaning; prolonged exposure and cognitive therapy can be used to reduce the intensity and intrusiveness of fear structures
Escape or avoidance coping
Disengaging from a stressful situation and its behavioral, cognitive, and emotional consequences
Experience-dependent process
An aspect of development that is believed to depend greatly on the duration, nature, and/or quality of environmental stimuli
Experience-expectant process
An aspect of development that is believed to be biologically predisposed and relies only on the presence of minimal environmental stimuli
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
A neuroendocrine feedback system that connects the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal cortex; regulates the body’s delayed stress response
Parent–child cognitive–behavioral therapy (PC-CBT)
An evidence-based treatment for youths who experience abuse or neglect and their caregivers; sessions focus on engagement, skill building, safety planning, and abuse clarification
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A DSM-5 disorder that occurs following exposure to death, serious injury, or sexual violence; characterized by (1) intrusive symptoms, (2) avoidance of stimuli associated with the event, (3) negative alterations in thoughts or mood, and (4) alterations in arousal and reactivity that cause distress or impairment and last at least 1 month
Problem-focused coping
Modifying or eliminating the conditions that gave rise to a psychosocial stressor or changing the perception of an experience in a way that reduces or neutralizes the problem
Prolonged exposure therapy
An evidence-based treatment for older youths with PTSD that is based on emotional processing theory; children practice in vivo or imaginal exposure until their distress subsides
Psychological first aid (PFA)
An evidence-based treatment for youths exposed to traumatic events; it emphasizes safety, self-efficacy, and social support immediately after the event
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD)
A DSM-5 disorder shown by infants and children who display inhibited, emotionally withdrawn behavior toward caregivers, a failure to respond to comfort, and episodes of irritability/negative affect; associated with early social–emotional deprivation
Safety plan
A strategy for dealing with future episodes of maltreatment; involves (1) identifying signs of potential abuse, (2) engaging in an immediate behavior to stay safe, and (3) going to a trusted adult for help
Sexualized behaviors
Sexual behaviors that are developmentally atypical or inappropriate to the social context
Social inhibition
A child’s capacity to control his or her impulses in social situations; impaired in many children with DSED
Sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axis
A neuroendocrine feedback system that connects the sympathetic nervous system with the adrenal medulla; regulates the body’s fight-or-flight response
Trauma-informed care
An overarching approach to helping youths and families exposed to life-threatening events; emphasizes safety, support, education, emotion-recognition, trauma-processing, and hope
Trauma-focused cognitive–behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
An evidence-based treatment for PTSD in which therapists (1) help children gradually recall traumatic experiences, (2) use relaxation skills to cope with negative affect, and (3) identify and challenge cognitive distortions
Trauma narrative
A progressively more detailed description of traumatic experiences; may consist of a story, poem, or other creative work that the child can share with others
Traumatic event
A psychosocial stressor that involves actual or threatened death, serious physical injury, or sexual violation
Traumatic sexualization
The development of anxiety, fear, disgust, or other negative emotions associated with one’s sexuality
