Personal Space in Physically Abused Children

Abstract

Personal space of physically abused children ( N = 36) and nonabused children ( N = 38) ages 7 to 9 was assessed using a stop-distance technique. All children were approached by female and male experimenters from four directions. The personal space of abused children is significantly larger than that of their nonabused peers. Boys and girls do not significantly differ in the preferred size of personal space. The personal space of abused children is significantly larger when approached by a male person. Such effect is not found in the control group. Interaction of Sex of Participant × Sex of Approaching Person yields significant results only when children are approached frontally, and this significance can be observed in both participant groups. In all, abused children, presumably due to their traumatic experiences, demonstrate stronger need for personal space. The author finds these results to be consistent with the protective function of personal space.