Effects of past abuse experiences on children's eyewitness memory

Relations between child maltreatment and children's eyewitness memory were examined. A matched sample of abused and nonabused 3- to 10-year-old children (n = 70) participated ill a play session with an unfamiliar adult and were interviewed about the interaction 2 weeks later Consistent with results from previous research, older compared to younger children's reports were more complete and accurate. Abused and nonabused children performed similarly with several exceptions: Nonabused children were more accurate in answering specific questions, made fewer errors in identifying the unfamiliar adult in a photo identification task and (at least for younger boys) freely recalled more information. Most effects remained when group differences in re and behavioral symptomology were statistically controlled Importantly, abused and nonabused children did not differ in their accuracy or suggestibility in response to questions that were relevant to abusive actions. Among abused children, however those who suffered more severe sexual abuse made move omission errors to specific abuse-relevant questions. Contributions to psychological theory and legal implications for understanding children's eyewitness memory and testimony are discussed.