Which of the following is true of abused children?

• A. Abused children always develop antisocial personality disorder.
• B. They are unlikely to experience any long-term emotional effects.
• C. They are at increased risk for developing psychological disorders later in life.
• D. Abuse in childhood has no impact on cognitive development.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the problem, which focuses on the psychological effects of childhood abuse on development and mental health.
2. Step 2: Recognize that the question asks which statement is true regarding abused children, so evaluate each option based on psychological research and theory.
3. Step 3: Recall that abused children do not always develop antisocial personality disorder; this is a specific diagnosis and not an inevitable outcome of abuse.
4. Step 4: Consider that abused children are likely to experience long-term emotional effects, contradicting the statement that they are unlikely to do so.
5. Step 5: Understand that research shows abused children are at increased risk for developing psychological disorders later in life, making this the correct statement, while abuse can also impact cognitive development, so the statement denying any impact is false.