Family maltreatment & Emerging adulthood

What is child maltreatment?

Abuse or neglect that harms a child's health, development, dignity, or survival.

What are the four main types of child maltreatment?

Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.

What additional form do many researchers include?

Exposure to domestic violence.

What is the most common type of maltreatment?

Neglect.

What is physical abuse?

Intentional physical force that causes or may cause injury.

What is emotional abuse?

Behavior that harms emotional development or self-worth.

What is sexual abuse?

Sexual activity involving a child who cannot consent or understand.

What is neglect?

Failure to meet a child's physical, emotional, educational, or medical needs.

What is the developmental psychopathology perspective?

Maltreatment is a major developmental risk factor but does not guarantee negative outcomes.

Is maltreatment deterministic?

No. Resilience is possible.

What is equifinality?

Different pathways can lead to the same outcome.

Who proposed the ecological model of child maltreatment?

Jay Belsky.

What theory inspired the ecological model?

Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory.

What are the five ecological levels?

Child, parent, family, community, and society.

What is intergenerational transmission?

Parents who were abused are at increased risk of abusing their own children.

What is cumulative risk?

Risk increases when multiple risk factors occur together.

What areas of development are affected by maltreatment?

Attachment, emotion regulation, self-concept, peer relationships, and mental health.

What internalizing disorders are linked to maltreatment?

Depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

What externalizing disorders are linked to maltreatment?

Aggression, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder.

What is toxic stress?

Chronic activation of the stress response system without adequate support.

What is the HPA axis?

The body's stress-response system.

What brain area is associated with threat detection?

Amygdala.

What brain area is associated with self-control and emotion regulation?

Prefrontal cortex.

What brain area is associated with memory and learning?

Hippocampus.

What is resilience?

Positive adaptation despite adversity.

What is the strongest protective factor?

A stable, supportive relationship with at least one caring adult.

Examples of protective factors?

Supportive adults, warm parenting, positive school environment, counseling, and strong peer relationships.

Who proposed emerging adulthood?

Jeffrey Arnett

What is emerging adulthood?

A developmental period between adolescence and adulthood extending from the late teens through the twenties.

Why did emerging adulthood develop?

Transitions to adult roles became delayed and prolonged.

What does "feeling in between" mean?

Feeling neither fully adolescent nor fully adult.

What are the five characteristics of emerging adulthood according to Arnett?

Feeling in-between, identity exploration, self-focus, instability, and possibilities.

Areas of Exploration

What areas are commonly explored during emerging adulthood?

Education, career, romance, residence, politics, and religion.

Why has marriage been delayed?

Longer education and career preparation.

Why do many emerging adults return home?

College completion, job transitions, or relationship difficulties.

Cultural Changes

Why is emerging adulthood more common in industrialized nations?

Education takes longer and financial independence is delayed.

Why may some low-SES young adults not experience emerging adulthood?

They often enter adult roles earlier.

Why is emerging adulthood less common in traditional societies?

Marriage, work, and parenthood begin earlier.

Postformal Thought

What is postformal thought?

Advanced thinking that develops beyond formal operations.

Why is college called a developmental testing ground?

Students encounter diverse viewpoints and experiences.

What is epistemic cognition?

Thinking about how we know what we know.

Perry's Stages

What is dualistic thinking?

Viewing issues as right or wrong.

What is relativistic thinking?

Recognizing multiple perspectives and possible answers.

What is commitment within relativistic thinking?

Choosing values and beliefs despite uncertainty.

Identity Development

What is exploration in breadth?

Considering multiple possibilities.

What is exploration in depth?

Evaluating current commitments.

What is personal agency?

The belief that you can influence your own life outcomes.

Love

According to Erikson, what must develop before intimacy?

A stable identity.

What factors promote intimacy?

Partner similarity, communication skills, and secure attachment.

What is cohabitation?

Living together without marriage.

Work

What is Levinson's dream stage?

Developing goals for adult achievement and career success.

How do internships help development?

They provide preparation for adult work roles.

What are mentors?

Experienced individuals who guide career development.

Resilience in Emerging Adulthood

What cognitive characteristics promote resilience?

Planning, decision-making, good school performance, and vocational knowledge.

What emotional characteristics promote resilience?

Self-esteem, emotional regulation, persistence, confidence, meaning, and purpose.

What social supports promote resilience?

Parents, peers, teachers, mentors, schools, workplaces, and communities.