Perceived social skills and social competence in maltreated children.

The relative effects of child maltreatment, perceived social support, and other risk factors on measures of peer relations were assessed at two points in time. Maltreatment was not found to be related to children's self-reports of social skills or social acceptance, but mothers of maltreated children rated their children as significantly less competent than did mothers of nonmaltreated children. Lower perceived support from peers consistently predicted poorer peer relationships on all measures of peer relations.