| Abstract: | This paper reports the results of residential treatment plus short-term follow-up of 31 deprived infants. Also discussed are the effects of abuse and socioeconomic status (SES) on the outcome measures. Two matched comparison groups were utilized: infants with similar problems, not admitted to the Center; and infants with no history of maltreatment. All had anthropometric measures, tests on the Bayley scales, and measures of mother-baby interaction three times during the first year of life. The Time Two results were considered the best indicator of the value of treatment because Time Two marked the end of Center residence. At Time Two the experimental children had gained more in height for age. They had lost some ground on the psychomotor scale but stayed relatively equal with the others on the mental scale. On the interaction scales they clearly surpassed the comparison groups. By Time Three the living arrangements had worsened for a number of the experimental babies. Physical measurements were similar among the groups. The experimental group maintained its standing on the Bayley scales, had lost ground on the interaction scales, but still surpassed the problem comparison group. The Time Three results are discussed with respect to the gravity of infant abuse. Effects of SES were more apparent throughout than the effects of abuse. |
