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Impact of Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse, also known as psychological maltreatment, can seriously interfere with a child's cognitive, emotional, psychological, or social development. The effects of emotional abuse may include insecurity, poor self-esteem, destructive behavior, withdrawal, poor development of basic skills, alcohol or drug abuse, suicide, difficulty forming relationships, and unstable job histories.

Childhood Emotional Abuse and Neglect as Predictors of Psychological and Physical Symptoms in Women Presenting to a Primary Care Practice
Spertus, Yehuda, Wong, Halligan, & Seremetis
Child Abuse and Neglect, 27(11), 2003
View Abstract
This study found that a history of emotional abuse and neglect was associated with increased anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and physical symptoms, as well as lifetime trauma exposure.

The Developmental Consequences of Child Emotional Abuse: A Neurodevelopmental Perspective (PDF - 130 KB)
Yates (2006)
Studies the impact of child emotional abuse on a child's stress response system and its developmental consequences.

The Educator's Role in Reporting the Emotional Abuse of Children
Romeo
Journal of Instructional Psychology, September 2000
Behavioral indicators of emotional abuse, relationship of emotional abuse to the child's self-esteem and self-image, and lifelong consequences.

Emotional Abuse
American Humane Association
Definition and consequences of emotional abuse, and what can be done about it.

Fact Sheet: Emotional Child Abuse (PDF - 26 KB)
Prevent Child Abuse America (1999)
Factsheet on emotional abuse of children, including effects.

Psychological Maltreatment
Hart, Brassard, Binggeli, & Davidson (2002, 2nd ed.)
In The APSAC Handbook on Child Maltreatment
View Abstract
Discussion of psychological effects of maltreatment.

The Psychological Maltreatment of Children
Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, American Academy of Pediatrics
Pediatrics, 109(4), 2002
Details consequences of psychological maltreatment and how pediatricians can prevent, recognize, and report it.

Sticks, Stones, and Hurtful Words: Relative Effects of Various Forms of Childhood Maltreatment
Teicher, Samson, Polcari, & McGreenery
American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(6), 2006
Study examining the impact of parental verbal aggression, witnessing domestic violence, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, by themselves and in combination, on psychiatric symptoms.

	Related Information Gateway Topics Child abuse & neglect: Emotional abuse Child abuse & neglect: Impact on child development Child abuse & neglect: Long-term consequences of abuse & neglect

Updated on March 1, 2010