This article focuses on the ways in which child abuse and neglect alter or influence fundamental components of normal child development. We highlight four major aspects of development (attachment, emotion regulation, externalizing behaviors, and romantic and sexual relationships) and discuss the ways in which childhood maltreatment may derail children from normal developmental pathways. Despite increasing research documenting the extent to which abused or neglected children may manifest problems in these areas, questions remain about mechanisms leading to these difficulties and about protective factors that may minimize or prevent these negative consequences. We conclude that greater efforts are needed to prevent the occurrence of child maltreatment and to intervene early in the lives of children who do experience abuse or neglect, so as to prevent a cascading of subsequent negative consequences.(PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)