Social Interactions of Young Abused Children: Approach, Avoidance, and Aggression

10 abused toddlers (ages 1-3 years) and 10 matched controls from families experiencing stress were observed during social interactions with caregivers and with peers in their daycare settings. The abused infants more frequently physically assaulted their peers. They "harassed" their caregivers verbally and nonverbally, and they were the only infants who assaulted or threatened to assault them. The abused infants were much less likely than the controls to approach their caregivers in response to friendly overtures; when they did so they were more likely to approach to the side, to the rear, or by turning about and backstepping. In response to friendly overtures the abused infants more frequently avoided peers and caregivers or combined movements of approach with movements of avoidance. A similar behavior pattern has been identified by Main in maternally rejected infants in normal samples.