Experiencing abuse and neglect in childhood can lead to adverse outcomes in adulthood. The purpose of this blog is to indicate the potential long-term effects of child abuse and neglect that may extend into adulthood. Types of abuse and neglect Child abuse and neglect refers to any behaviour by parents, caregivers, other adults or older adolescents that is outside the norms of conduct and entails a substantial risk of causing physical or emotional harm to a child or young person. Such behaviours may be intentional or unintentional and can include acts of omission i.
Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect The consequences of maltreatment can be devastating. For over 30 years, clinicians have described the effects of child abuse and neglect on the physical, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral development of children.
Physical consequences range from minor injuries to severe brain damage and even death. Psychological consequences range from chronic low self-esteem to severe dissociative states. The cognitive effects of abuse range from attentional problems and learning disorders to severe organic brain syndromes.
Behaviorally, the consequences of abuse range from poor peer relations all the way to extraordinarily violent behaviors. Thus, the consequences of abuse and neglect affect the victims themselves and the society in which they live.
Many complexities challenge our understanding of factors and relationships that exacerbate or mitigate the consequences of abusive experiences. The majority of children who are abused do not show signs of extreme disturbance.
Research has suggested a relationship between child maltreatment and a variety of short- and long-term consequences, but considerable uncertainty and debate remain about the effects of child victimization on children, adolescents, and adults.
The relationship between the causes and consequences of child maltreatment is particularly problematic, since some factors such as low intelligence in the child may help stimulate abusive behavior by the parent or caretaker, but low intelligence can also be a consequence of abusive experiences in early childhood.
The scientific study of child maltreatment and its consequences is in its Page Share Cite Suggested Citation: Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect.
The National Academies Press. Until recently, research on the consequences of physical and sexual child abuse and neglect has been based primarily on retrospective studies of adolescents or adults that are subject to clinical bias and inaccurate recall Aber and Cicchetti, Research on the consequences of abuse is also challenged by the hidden nature of much abuse and because these experiences may not come to anyone's attention until years after they occur.
Maltreatment often occurs in the presence of multiple problems within a family or social environment, including poverty, violence, substance abuse, and unemployment.
Distinguishing consequences that are associated directly with the experience of child maltreatment itself rather than other social disorders is a daunting task for the research investigator. Research on the consequences of child maltreatment is also uneven and, as a result, we do not yet understand the consequences on children of particular types or multiple forms of abuse.
In recent years, much attention has been focused on the consequences of child sexual abuse, especially the adolescent and adult sexual behavior of the victim. Less attention has been given to the short- and long-term consequences of child neglect and physical abuse.
Only recently has public awareness expanded to include recognition of the psychological consequences that stem from even the most subtle forms of emotional maltreatment.
Some experts now contend that the psychological or emotional components of abuse and neglect are the factor most responsible for the destructive consequences of all types of maltreatment Brassard et al. Nor do we yet know the importance of the particular timing, intensity, and context of abuse on the outcome.
Factors such as the age and developmental status of the child may influence the outcomes of maltreatment experiences.
Effects that appear at only one life stage, whether immediately following the maltreatment or later, are often different from those that persist throughout life.The present meta-analysis examined the effects of psychosocial treatments at reducing deleterious outcomes of sexual abuse.
The meta-analysis included a total of 35 published and unpublished studies written in English, focusing on youth under the age of 18, and evaluating the effectiveness of. Child abuse and neglect is a social and public health problem, as well as a children's rights issue in Australia.
Abuse and neglect can lead to a wide range of adverse consequences for .
Experiencing abuse and neglect in childhood can lead to adverse outcomes in adulthood. The purpose of this resource is to indicate the potential long-term effects of child abuse and neglect that may extend into adulthood.
Impact of Child Abuse & Neglect Learn how child abuse and neglect affect children, adolescents, adult survivors, and society. Impact is explored by type of abuse, . Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect Every child who has experienced abuse or neglect will have their own response to the trauma.
While some children have long-lasting effects, others . Child Abuse Statistics & Outcomes Child abuse cuts across all social classes and racial and religious group. Both boys and girls are victimized, and it .