Self-Esteem as a Predictor of Posttraumatic Growth and Adaptation among Maltreated Early Adolescents

Self-Esteem as a Predictor of Posttraumatic Growth and Adaptation among Maltreated Early Adolescents By Hadar Simha Schwartz Adviser: Denise Hien, Ph.D. Child maltreatment, including neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, affects 12% of American children each year (Wildeman, Emanal, Leventhal, Putnam-Hornstein, Waldfogel, & Lee, 2014). Maltreatment can be devastating to an individual’s development and is associated with considerable negative psychological sequelae, including high rates of depression and problem behaviors, impaired peer relationships, and low self-esteem (e.g., Bolger, Patterson, & Kupersmidt, 1998; Cicchetti & Carlson, 1989; Kim & Cicchetti, 2006; Swanston, Tebbutt, O'Toole, & Oates, 1997; Toth, Manly, & Cicchetti, 1992). However, despite a historic emphasis on the negative effects of trauma, not all children experience traumatic reactions (Cicchetti & Rogosch, 1997) and even among those who do, positive adaptation may occur simultaneously. The concept of posttraumatic growth (PTG) captures this phenomenon, describing the positive adaptation that can occur in the aftermath of tragedy. In this study, PTG was conceptualized as positive change in social competence and cognitive functioning. By weaving together the selfesteem, trauma, and adaptation literatures and examining these constructs simultaneously, this study explores the unique relationship between maltreatment and self-esteem among adolescents and considers means of facilitating and promoting adaptation and growth within this population. Results: Results of a public use dataset, Longitudinal Pathways to Resilience in Maltreated Children, were examined through hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses to explore the presence of PTG among maltreated adolescents as compared to nonmaltreated adolescents. No