ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we illustrate how a family context of child maltreatment may adversely influence the development of children's peer relationships. The family provides the context out of which peer relationships can emerge. An optimal familial environment includes a positive developmental history in each parent's family of origin, a harmonious contemporaneous marital relationship, and nurturant, sensitive, and predictable parent–child interactions (Belsky & Pensky, 1988; Caspi & Elder, 1988; Easterbrooks & Emde, 1988; Engfer, 1988; Main, Kaplan, & Cassidy, 1985; Sroufe & Fleeson, 1986, 1988). These conditions maximize the probability that children in such families will form secure attachment relationships with one or both caregivers (Belsky & Vondra, 1989; Cicchetti, 1990; Sroufe & Fleeson, 1988). This security reduces fear in novel situations and allows children to feel comfortable in exploring the environment.
