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The use of a narrative story stem technique with maltreated children: Implications for theory and practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2008

Helen K. Buchsbaum ,
Sheree L. Toth ,
Robert B. Clyman ,
Dante Cicchetti  and
Robert N. Emde
Helen K. Buchsbaum*
Affiliation:
University of Colorado
Sheree L. Toth
Affiliation:
Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester
Robert B. Clyman
Affiliation:
University of Colorado
Dante Cicchetti
Affiliation:
Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester
Robert N. Emde
Affiliation:
University of Colorado
*
Address reprint requests to: Helen K. Buchsbaum, Ph.D., 4200 East 9th Avenue, Box C 268, Denver, CO 80262.
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Abstract

Maltreatment can impact the earliest stages of development during which time patterns of emotion regulation and attachment begin to be established (Carlson, Cicchetti, Barnett, & Braunwald, 1989b; Cicchetti, Ganiban, & Barnett, 1991). These disruptive patterns are problematic for early moral development and are likely to play a role in the development of conduct disorders (Aber & Cicchetti, 1984). Thus, maltreated children are clearly in a high-risk situation. To examine emotion regulation, internal representations of relationships, and early moral development, the use of a play narrative story stem technique (Bretherton, Ridgeway, & Cassidy, 1990; Buchsbaum & Emde, 1990) with maltreated children and a nonmaltreated disadvantaged comparison group of children is described. Representative case examples from each group are used to illustrate the effectiveness of this technique for eliciting themes about family relationships, conflicts, and their resolution or lack thereof as well as defenses and coping styles. The potential usefulness of this paradigm for clinical assessment and intervention are discussed.

Type
Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 4 , Issue 4 , October 1992 , pp. 603 - 625
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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