Child Memory and Disclosure Study

Abstract

Credible, complete accounts of maltreatment include information regarding the sequence of the alleged events. Our preliminary work suggests that current questioning may undermine children’s sequencing abilities, which may lead to misunderstandings by factfinders. Our overall objective is to identify age differences in event sequencing understanding, working memory (WM), and episodic memory, and effects of divided attention, in order to identify developmentally-appropriate sequencing questions for use in cases of child maltreatment. The total sample included 474 4- to 9-year olds and their caregivers (~50% female). The racial and ethnic distribution was similar to that of the surrounding community. Children participated in a laboratory-based transgression paradigm. Half the children then completed a divided attention task. Children were interviewed using a forensic-style interview protocol and parents completed questionnaires. Children completed language, WM, and sequencing comprehension assessments.