Thus, I propose to cull state records from at least four different states representing the various areas of America--a coastal state, a southern state, a northern state, and a Midwestern state. That would not be a perfect representation of America but it would be a solid start. The specific states chosen would be dependent upon ease of access to pertinent information. I propose to assess documented cases of child maltreatment, which would include neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse, between 1975 and 1985. Using records from that time period would ensure that participants are now adults with enough life experience and relationships to provide useful information for this particular study. I would only include cases where a government agency or legislative body believed maltreatment had occurred; for example, I would include a case where charges were brought against a parent for neglect even if the parent was found not guilty, but I would not include records indicating only that a school social worker reported abuse may have occurred. To be included, maltreatment must have been sufficiently suspected by a government agency to warrant investigation, even if no criminal charges were ultimately filed. I chose to include cases where charges were dropped because I myself am a product of such a situation: my biological father was guilty of abuse but was able to convince the jury otherwise. I am basing my research on the supposition that if a situation was questionable enough to be investigated, it is more likely than not that some kind of abuse or neglect was involved. Thus, I would include cases where charges were dropped, so long as they involved initial charges of abuse and/or