Table:
Overview of included studies, by child outcome
| Studies examining outcome (n) | Independent samples examining outcome (n) | Among the independent samples |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detrimental outcomes | Beneficial outcomes | No significant associations | Mixed findings* | |||
|
| ||||||
| Externalising behaviours | ||||||
| Externalising behaviour | 27 | 19 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 3 (Det/NS)20,21 (Det/Ben)22 |
| Aggressive behaviour | 20 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Antisocial behaviour or conduct problems | 8 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 (Det)23,24 (NS)25,26 |
|
| ||||||
| Internalising behaviours | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 (Ben/NS)22 (Det/Ben)27 |
|
| ||||||
| Total behaviour problems (externalising and internalising) | 6 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 (Det)28 (Det/NS/NS)29 |
|
| ||||||
| Prosocial behaviour or social competence | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
|
| ||||||
| Inattention or ADHD symptoms | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
|
| ||||||
| Cognitive abilities | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 (Det/NS/NS)30,31 (Det/Ben)32 |
|
| ||||||
| Interpersonal relationships | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 (Det/NS/NS)33 |
|
| ||||||
| Stress reactivity | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| ||||||
| Involvement with CPS† | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| ||||||
| Total | 98 | 64 | 38 | 0 | 15 | 11 |
Det=detrimental. Ben=beneficial. NS=not significant. ADHD=attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. CPS=child protective services.
*
Differential findings across measures or subgroups within the same study or across studies within the same dataset.
†
Only one of the independent samples examining child abuse or neglect controlled for previous maltreatment.