Childhood maltreatment and identity diffusion among inpatient adolescents: The role of reflective function

ConclusionsEmotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, and total combined maltreatment exposure may be risk factors for adolescent identity diffusion. Targeting RF may help to build healthy identity among adolescents with symptoms of psychiatric disorders who have experienced maltreatment, particularly emotional abuse.
Source: Journal of Adolescence - Category: Child Development Source Type: research